Merton’s new Safer Streets Team began their deployment in the first week of July, patrolling neighbourhoods across Merton and cracking down on anti-social behaviour.  

The deployment, which began during Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, put our Safer Streets Team on the beat in Merton. The team will be patrolling every neighbourhood, every week to provide a visible police and community safety presence.  

The borough-wide roll-out follows a successful pilot held last year and reflects the theme of this year’s awareness week – Making Communities Safer.  

Merton is one of London’s safest boroughs and we are working hard to help people who live, work and study here to feel safer through initiatives including the upgrade and expansion of our 24-hour CCTV network.  

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ross Garrod, said: “I’m delighted that our brand-new Safer Streets Team are deploying across the borough to crack down on anti-social behaviour and provide a visible, reassuring presence in the community for Merton residents. 

“They will be patrolling every neighbourhood, every week, including on evenings and weekends, to prevent crime and work with the police and council staff to tackle street drinking and drug use, and enforce the law and issue fines.” 

Cabinet Member for Enforcment and Community Safety, Councillor Edith Macauley MBE, said: “Although Merton is consistently ranked as one of London’s safest boroughs, we know that some residents don’t always feel safe, especially after dark. That’s why Merton Council has taken action, including expanding our 24-hour CCTV network, as well as deploying our new Safer Streets Team, following a successful pilot last year.” 

The Safer Streets Team is the second of four pledges the council made to residents earlier this year to make Merton cleaner, greener, and safer for everyone. Find out more about the pledges at www.merton.gov.uk/fourpledges