The battle against crime received a boost after Hammersmith and Fulham Council said it would pay for more police officers and CCTV cameras in the borough.

It already funds 44 police officers, who have made 760 arrests in their first year, and has now pledged to recruit a new sergeant and constable, and provide funding to replace three constables with sergeants.

A six-strong Safer Schools Team will also be created to work in the borough’s secondary schools, mentoring young people and carrying out community outreach work.

There will also be an increase in the number of CCTV cameras in the borough.

Its coverage has already increased from 868 cameras in 2014 to the current total of 1,150, with another 18 in the pipeline and planned upgrades.

The network was instrumental to 489 arrests in 2015.

Cllr Michael Cartwright, head of crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “There is no higher priority for us than keeping people safe.

“This is why we’re investing record levels of funding where it matters most, boosting police numbers and CCTV provision to both help track down the perpetrators or crime in the borough and also prevent crimes being committed.”