Reverse Labour's Cuts to Vice Squad - Nicholson (Chris Nicholson)

Reverse Labour's Cuts to Vice Squad - Nicholson

October 1, 2007 4:47 PM

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Chris Nicholson has called on the Metropolitan Police to restore a dedicated Vice-Squad to Lambeth Borough Policing.

Residents in and around Brixton's Josephine Avenue are complaining that prostitutes are seen frequently on street corners in the local area. The problem has escalated since the Metropolitan Police Authority enforced cuts to the budgets forcing Lambeth Police to disband their Vice Squad. Strong objections to the cuts came from residents and Liberal Democrat Councillors but the Labour-led Metropolitan Police Authority forced through the changes.

"Residents in Brixton should feel safe when they come home after dark. But following the cutting of the Vice Squad the kerb-crawling problem in Brixton is a nightly menace," said Chris Nicholson.

"I am calling on the Met Police Authority to give funds to the Lambeth Borough Commander so she can restore a well-staffed permanent vice-squad to the borough," Chris added.

"It is not enough just to block off one road at one end when kerb-crawlers will just drive down the next one," said Chris. "We need police enforcement to tackle this problem across the whole area if we are not just to push the problem to neighbouring roads."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Lambeth Council has published plans to stop up Josephine Avenue at the junction with Brixton Hill. Under the council's plans, neighbouring roads like Arodene, Helix, Leander, and Appach Roads and roads the other side of Brixton Hill will all remain open for kerb-crawlers to circulate.

2. Chris Nicholson is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for the Streatham constituency which includes the area around Josephine Avenue.