The new Safer Parks Team will consist of two sergeants and 10 constables who will enjoy full Metropolitan Police powers. They will work alongside a team of five uniformed officers from the Events Support Service, who have worked in the Borough for many years as part of the former Parks Police team. This will increase the number of officers dedicated to keeping Wandsworth’s parks and commons safe.

Officers will use Metropolitan Police police radios and other communications systems and be able to instantly summon reinforcements from outside the parks in any case of emergency. They will also have instant access to the police national computer to help them conduct their enquiries, and all of them will have full powers as police constables.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, who leads on environmental and community safety issues at the Town Hall, says: “I look forward to seeing the Safer Parks Team out on patrol across the Borough. They will be a high visibility force dedicated to keeping our green spaces pleasant and safe places for people to use.”

Kim Caddy, Conservative candidate in the forthcoming Southfields by-election, adds: “I welcome the news that the new police Safer Parks Team will be regularly patrolling King George’s Park. Wandsworth’s parks and commons are a great community asset and it is good to see that dedicated Metropolitan Police officers will be on hand to ensure they remain friendly and welcoming places.”