The Tories have cut 22,000 police officers nationally since 2010, including 400 officers and PCSOs here in Southwark. They have finally recognised the damage this has done and the new Prime Minister has announced that 20,000 new officers will be hired. This U-turn is welcome but long-overdue and it remains to be seen how many of these officers will be deployed to serve our local community.

I had secured a commitment from the previous Home Secretary, who agreed to meet with me and some local organisations working to tackle knife crime, but this was postponed due to the Tory leadership contest. I have now written to the new Home Secretary to ask that she honours her predecessor’s promise and to ensure that we see the extra police resources locally that we desperately need.