POLICE

Although Merton is one of the smaller London boroughs with a population of approximately 188,000, it has a surprisingly diverse community and has one of the fastest growing Black Minority Ethnic Communities in London. Merton, for example, is home to one of the largest Mosques in Western Europe.

Merton is divided into three sectors that cover the areas of Wimbledon, Mitcham and Morden. These localities provide an interesting mix of communities with differing social, economic, educational and policing needs. Wimbledon Village has some of the most expensive residential properties in the whole of London whilst parts of Mitcham figure significantly in deprivation indices. We have a positive history police/community working, which is being developed further through the advent of Safer Neighbourhood policing.

Wimbledon itself is a busy and vibrant town centre with a thriving day and night time economy. The Borough is perhaps best known for the two weeks in summer when a large number of visitors and sports enthusiasts from around the world attend the famous Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

To deal with this and the usual wide range of policing challenges the borough has a total of 435 personnel including police officers, police community support officers and police staff. We place an emphasis on partnership working to ensure that together we are working hard to make Merton the safest borough in London.

Chief Superintendent Christopher Bourlet
Borough Commander

 

MERTON LAUNCHES SAFER TOWN CENTRES TEAM

 

The Merton Safer Town Centres Team was launched April 20th, 2009.

Officers from the police at Merton have joined forces with members of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary to work in partnership with the Wimbledon Town Centre Manager, Centre Court Management and the London Borough of Merton Wardens.

The team will work alongside the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and Safer Transport Teams who already regularly patrol the town centres within Merton.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bourlet said "The Safer Town Centres team will assist further in driving down crime and anti social behaviour. The teams will work together in a coordinated manner to ensure that when people visit Merton, they have a safe and enjoyable time."

Inspector Charlie Fleury said “It’s an opportunity to enhance policing within the town centres. This is so that local businesses and residents are able to easily identify local officers to address policing issues."