Last month we had two serious violent attacks around Barking station.

Both a shooting and a stabbing in the centre of Barking are sadly part of a growing trend of violent crime.Since the incidents I have received updates from the police and met with officers responsible for the high street area. They have put in place several shorter-term operations to improve the safety of the area and increase police presence.

I have raised with them the importance of a long-term increased police presence in the Barking area, particularly around the high street. I am glad they are working hard to gain further funding to secure nearly double the officer numbers for the high street.

We all know that the last nine years of Tory cuts to police funding are totally unsustainable if we are to keep our community safe. Whether tackling violent crime, disrupting local gangs or combatting drug dealing our police need investment and not cuts to get the job done.

Further new local projects by the police include working closely with officers in Ilford to combat prostitution in the borough. A new operation is running to combat moped related crime, with early successes. A series of arrests have been made in relation to an organised spate of burglaries on Leftley and Faircross estate last year. I will continue to fight for the funding and resources our police desperately need. After a success campaigning for Barking’s police station to remain open I remain more committed than ever to supporting our local police and making our community safer.