New Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe visited Sutton to look at joint working between the police and council.

During his hour-and-a-half visit on Monday, January 9, he saw the police control room where images from more than 80 council funded cameras around the borough are monitored 24/7 by police, and met two officers from Sutton’s Safer Parks teams, whose are paid for by the council to keep Sutton’s extensive parks safe.

In addition, the commissioner inspected council-funded police vehicles, including the CCTV van and the Mobile Reassurance Unit, used by officers when engaging with local communities.

The Commissioner also viewed the work of the Safer Sutton Partnership Service, which consists of police and council officers working together at Sutton Police Station to manage community safety services.

The Commissioner said: “I was extremely interested to see the way in which the partnership arrangements work in Sutton, particularly how CCTV is being used to identify suspects and enhance operational performance.”

Councillor Graham Tope, Sutton Council’s executive member for community safety, leisure and libraries, said: “I am delighted that the Commissioner could take up the invitation sent shortly after his appointment to enable us to show him the unique and highly effective and efficient partnership arrangements we have in Sutton.”