00:00The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee has said that young Londoners feel they are suspected by the Metropolitan Police
00:09regardless of their reason for coming into contact with the force.
00:15Now, the committee has issued 11 recommendations aimed at restoring confidence. Superintendent Matt Cox has said the force welcomes the
00:25report, including suggestions around how the Met best engages and supports young people in the capital.
00:34He added that ensuring children feel safe both in their communities and at school is a key priority.
00:42Now, the report comes after the force's child first approach to policing, which was introduced in 2024 after a series
00:52of incidents that included the child Q strip search scandal.
00:57But since then, the Met has made a number of cuts and changes to youth focused neighbourhood policing, including the
01:06removal of safer school officers.
01:09Now, these changes have created a greater gulf between young Londoners and the Met Police, and that's according to the
01:18London Assembly Police and Crime Committee report.
01:24So, do Londoners trust the police, and how safe do they feel in the capital? I took to the streets
01:30to find out.
01:32I don't know, but I'm hoping so anyway. It is a concern though, isn't it?
01:38I mean, I live in France, and France lately is not that secure. So, when I work here in London,
01:44I don't feel like in danger.
01:46A bit edgy, but nothing more than any other major city, I don't think. I'm concerned that there's not the
01:54number of policemen around. Definitely, I don't see that.
01:57It's different because we feel like here in London, when I see police in the streets, I really feel like
02:03they are invested in their job and like they want to, people feel safe.
02:07They're not harsh on people, you know.
02:10It's visibility, isn't it? You know, and comfort and assurance that they're there and helping, that they're available, should they
02:18be needed.
02:19I mean, the other concern is closing the police stations, of course.
02:22I think I feel okay about them. I don't feel any worse about them. I think there are weaknesses, but
02:27I don't think there are any, it's got no worse to me.
02:30I've got to say, I was part of the system, if you like, for over 30 years. I used to
02:35be in the prison service.
02:36So, you know, I think people have. I don't trust them as much as I once did, but fundamentally, I'm
02:45supportive of them.
02:46Well, of course, there used to be policemen walking around, but I don't think that necessarily is good policing.
02:54You know, it's much more complicated than seeing policemen standing about or walking about. It really is.
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