Town Centre Police Officers and Neighbourhood Police Officers
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.033389
I note you seek access to the following information:
How do Town Centre Police Officers work with Neighbourhood Police Officers? Is there any overlap between where each type of police officer operates?
Do they share intelligence?
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Effective neighbourhood policing is critical to the Met's success in fighting all crime types including organised crime, anti-social behaviour and serious violence. Our aim is to put neighbourhood and local policing back at the top of the Met’s agenda and deliver neighbourhood policing that is visible, proactive, trusted and equipped to cut crime and solve the policing problems that matter to communities, together with those communities. Two central parts of our plan to deliver effective neighbourhood policing are Town Centre Teams (TCTs) and Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNTs).
TCTs were introduced in response to the public request for a more visible policing presence in their local areas. They have been placed in areas with the highest risk, harm and demand to drive down crime and problem solve local issues, including where women and girls feel unsafe and/or have raised issues of concern. TCT officers patrol at the times that will have the most impact on crime as well as on public safety, such as in the evenings.
SNTs are locally based officers that are supported by additional officers from the wider area. SNTs work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide on policing priorities for the area. They have a focus on long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining our wider focus on reducing crime across London.
TCTs and SNTs are key part of the Met’s drive to focus on what matters most to Londoners. Whilst these teams are typically based in different areas (i.e. TCTs are specifically based in town centres while SNTs are ward based officers), they work together by sharing intelligence, learning from experiences and where appropriate, devising and delivering local policing plans. Ultimately however, the aim of both TCTs and SNTs is to keep communities safe, prevent crime and where crime occurs, bring offenders to justice whilst ensuring that victims of crime receive the support they need from us and from others.
The MPS is committed to building a police service that delivers More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards. Further information about our long-term strategy and vision can be found on our website. I have provided a link to this information below.