Sutton's high hopes for extra police suffered a blow this week when the Metropolitan Police Authority decided the borough had no need for additional officers.

The MPA released details of how extra police staffing will be split amongst the London boroughs at a meeting held on Monday.

Although the capital will see an extra 1,050 police officers this year, Sutton has not been earmarked for an increase in staffing levels.

The agreement, which proved favourable at the meeting, ensures no borough loses officers and decided on increases based on need assessments.

All London boroughs are assessed by taking crime and disorder rates into account.

Sutton's Chief Superintendent Steve Macdonald was quick to comment on the announcement.

He said: "I was hopeful that we would get extra officers.

"But having been consulted continually throughout the process, I'm completely satisfied the system chosen was the correct one.

"What I would like to say is that Sutton police will look to do the best job they can to deliver the best possible service. We are not in a position to influence the decision otherwise."

Chief Supt Macdonald added: "Sutton police will continue to deliver a high standard of policing and after all, how can good policing levels be measured?

"It's not just the number of officers, it's also monitoring crime levels and social changes that impact on crime levels."

But the GLA conservative party member for Sutton

and Croydon Andrew Pelling said the borough's police strength may be below the long-term viable level at 267 officers.

He added: "It makes you wonder what the purpose of Sutton being in the GLA is, when all we do is pay extra taxes to the mayor and get nothing extra back in return.

"Sutton needs extra police officers so they can do more than just act retrospectively to incidents," he added.

He said at one point, it looked as if Sutton would get an extra 50 extra officers.

December 14, 2001 15:30