A team of police officers dedicated to tackling crime on Hounslow's housing estates has been given its own set of wheels.
The estate police officers unit, which is jointly funded by Hounslow Council and the Mayor of London, has been credited with contributing to a sharp drop in offences since its formation last year.
Now the team of four police officers has been given its own squad car, paid for by the council at a cost of £9,000, to help officers respond more speedily to residents' concerns.
Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran said: "The estate police officers have been successful in making our streets safer, and this new car will help make them even more efficient."
The team's priorities are set by the council and a group of tenant representatives from the estates they patrol.
Between August 2013 and April this year, the officers made 13 arrests, stopped and searched 520 people and helped execute 24 warrants.
According to the council, the number of drug incidents and complaints on Hounslow's housing estates fell by 10 per cent last year compared with 2012/13, to 895.
How to contact your local estate police officer:
Brentford, Syon and Chiswick
PC Mike Graham - call 07891307697 or email Mike.J.Graham@met.pnn.police.uk
Heston, Cranford and Osterley
PC Stuart Dale - call 07891305384 or email Stuart.dale@met.pnn.police.uk
Hounslow and Isleworth
PC Joao Da Costa - call 07891307647or email joao.dacosta@met.pnn.police.uk
