Lib Dem MP joins Southwark councillors calling for safer streets and stronger policing

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London, Luke Taylor MP, joined Southwark Liberal Democrat councillors for a walkabout with local police to discuss residents’ concerns about rising crime and anti-social behaviour. 

The visit focused on problem areas around Blackfriars Road and nearby estates, where residents have reported drug use, phone snatching, and street crime. Southwark now has the fifth highest level of crime in London and one of the worst records for phone thefts, with Borough and Bankside seeing the most incidents in the borough. 

The visit comes as Southwark Liberal Democrats campaign against Sadiq Khan’s decision to cut the opening hours of the Walworth Police Front Counter. Despite pledging 24/7 front counters in every borough, only two will now remain open around the clock across London. 

Further cuts from the Labour Government will see 1,419 police staff and officers removed from London’s police force at a time when crimes like phone snatching continue to rise. 

Luke Taylor recently co-signed a letter with other London Liberal Democrats calling on the Chancellor to properly fund the Met, including investment in cultural reform following revelations of misogyny and racism in the BBC Panorama documentary. 

Southwark Liberal Democrats will table a motion at the next full council meeting on 12 November calling for more police funding and urgent action to make Southwark’s streets cleaner and safer. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrats’ London Spokesperson Luke Taylor MP said:  

“It’s clear the Met Police aren’t getting what they need from the government to do their job.

“The Mayor told us that with him in place and a Labour government in Westminster - London would get its fair share. That clearly isn’t the case. 

“He also told us that he would keep a 24-hour police front counter open in every borough, but he’s broken that promise in recent weeks. 

“My Lib Dem colleagues and I are going to keep pushing for The Met to get their fair share of the new funding announced in the spending review earlier this year. Londoners deserve nothing less”

Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain added:

“Crime and anti-social behaviour are getting worse in Southwark, yet Labour have closed local police facilities and failed to get a grip on phone snatching. Residents are fed up with feeling unsafe in their own communities. 

Labour control every level of power in Southwark, in London, and in Government, but they’ve lost control of crime and community safety. 

Liberal Democrats are fighting for cleaner, safer streets, and it’s great to have our MPs backing that campaign. Next May, residents will have the chance to deliver real change by electing more Liberal Democrats who will stand up for them and make Southwark safer.”