AS CHAIRMAN of the Belmont Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel, I feel I must respond to what I can only describe as the somewhat selfish knee-jerk reaction of Shirley Sackwild, secretary of the Canons Park Residents' Association, to the proposed relocation of the Canons Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) (Observer, October 22).
The Canons SNT's current base is located on the extreme southern boundary of of the longest ward in the borough.
This is fine for Ms Sackwild and her residents' association, but is very remote for residents of the northern part of the ward.
The proposed new location, in Stanmore, is actually just outside Canons ward, but is considerably closer to those in the northern part of the densely populated southern half of the ward, and also to those parts further north.
It is, of course, further from Canons Park, but residents of all parts of the ward deserve equal access and cover from their SNT, something Ms Sackwild needs to consider.
The proposed relocation will free up the Donnefield Avenue base for both the Edgware and Belmont SNTs, both of whom currently operate from Edgware Police Station.
This will bring the Belmont SNT much closer to Belmont ward, and they will still have the benefit of a bus service to and from the base for both officers and members of the public.
Were the Belmont SNT to be be located at the Stanmore base, they would be considerably further from their ward - much further than the Canons SNT would be from theirs.
Also, the absence of a bus route would make the base inaccessible for members of the public, and it would mean it would take the team much longer to reach their operational area.
Common sense and logic, along with an examination of the ward map, both dictate that the most sensible and practical arrangement for all residents of Canons and Belmont wards would be for the Canons and Stanmore Park SNTs to be based at Stanmore, with the Edgware and Belmont SNTs going to Donnefield Avenue.
This might not suit Ms Sackwild and her residents' association, but will be far better suited to the needs of other residents throughout Canons and Belmont wards, who are by far the majority.
EDWARD RUDOLPH
Chairman Belmont Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel
