Neighbourhood Watch vital as police funding stands still says Teather

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Nov 2003

Sarah Teather MP working with local people

Sarah Teather MP for Brent East on Wednesday night addressed the Brent Neighbourhood Watch AGM and stressed the importance of Neighbourhood Watch.

It was a hectic night for the local MP who dashed across Central London to address the AGM between crucial votes on foundation hospitals. Sarah Teather was the only Brent MP to address the Neighbourhood Watch's Annual General Meeting.

Sarah Teather MP said:

"Brent Neighbourhood Watch plays a vitally important role in helping to keep our community safe. They have proved to be an organisation who gets things done. For instance the work they are doing in highlighting the state of Neasden is vital for local residents. Often the organization is a voice for those residents who feel they have been let down by the Labour Council."

The local Liberal Democrat MP believes that the organization will have an increasingly important role to play especially given the Government's meagre 3.3% increase in funding for the Metropolitan Police.

Sarah Teather MP added:

"The role of the Neighbourhood Watch is set to become increasingly important given the Government has effectively set a standstill budget for the Metropolitan Police. With a lack of police officers on our streets the Neighbourhood Watch has to be the eyes and ears of our community."