|
Seeing London’s murder rate fall to its lowest level on record is profoundly welcome news. For families across Tooting, feeling safe in our community is everything.
While some talk our city down, our Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is delivering results through a public health approach to crime and tackling its root causes. This focus on prevention and early intervention is making a real difference. In my work with local police, I know this partnership is crucial. This is Labour in action: getting on with the job and building a safer city for us all.
Today, on White Ribbon Day, I stood in solidarity with all those women and girls who have experienced vile violence and abuse.
Violence against women and girls does not occur in a vacuum; it is born out of misogyny that goes unaddressed on our streets, in workplaces, and in schools. We must all work to end this issue once and for all.
Today I brought together representatives from Wandsworth Council and our local police team to Tooting Bec on a walkabout followed by a roundtable meeting to discuss some of the issues facing the community. We all love the community we call home, and I want it to be better. That is why we were discussing how we can combat fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
Following a recent spot inspection of HMP Wandsworth by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. an Urgent Notification was issued to the Secretary of State for Justice, meaning that the Chief Inspector has serious and immediate concerns about the day-to-day operation of the prison.
The report was damning and laid the blame for the deficiencies squarely at the Government's door, citing a lack of leadership at the very highest levels. I have been raising these issues for years now and my concerns have gone unheeded by this Tory Government, even after a high-profile alleged escape last autumn. Read my Twitter thread on the subject below:
Today, I brought together officials from Wandsworth Council and Wandsworth Police to discuss what we can do to make Tooting Broadway a safer, cleaner and more vibrant place to live and work.
With 80 prison officers unavailable on the day Daniel Khalife escaped from Wandsworth Prison - it beggars belief that he was even allowed to work in the kitchen. The Government need to explain themselves. This morning, I've been out and about in Tooting with Wandsworth Police Officers. We've been talking to residents who are concerned about rising street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
Together we're now working to increase the number of patrols in the area and ensure that resident's concerns are being addressed. Today, I've been speaking about the very serious concerns I have regarding the prisoner escape from Wandsworth Prison. The Government need to provide answers regarding how this was allowed to happen. With schools crumbling, our prisons falling apart, and the NHS on it's knees, you can't trust the Tories with the NHS. One of the most important jobs I do as your local Member of Parliament is ensuring that our wonderful communities in Balham, Earlsfield, Furzedown, Tooting and Wandsworth Common remain safe and welcoming places to live.
To this end, I have recently hosted public meetings with local police leadership in Balham and Furzedown, conducted a walkaround with the Borough Superintendent around the local area, and written to the police on behalf of local residents on a wide range of issues. Please do let me know if you have any concerns regarding crime issues in the local area - my door is always open. Today, I asked Wandsworth Police officers to join me on a walk about in Tooting Bec.
We spoke to local residents and discussed tackling anti-social behaviour in the area. I know local residents have raised a number of concerns - about incidents targeting children and public safety in the area. I addressed these matters with the police, along with strategies already put in place aimed specifically at reducing worrying incidents of this kind and crime. Over recent months, I have taken the following action on anti-social behaviour and crime on the Heaver Estate:
|
Categories
All
Archives
February 2026
|