Hounslow MPs Seema Malhotra MP and Ruth Cadbury MP have welcomed Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to increase the number of police officers in Hounslow following widespread criticisms of funding reduction under the Conservative government.

London’s Mayor is set to increase the number of dedicated ward officers across London by more than 500 in the next two years. The first wave will include 8 wards in Hounslow which will see an increase in officers by the end of 2016. Wards expecting to see an increase are Hounslow Central, Hounslow Heath, Brentford, Syon, Heston West, Cranford, Feltham West and Bedfont.

Seema Malhotra MP said: “Local policing is essential, not only to gathering the intelligence that is the most effective way to fight crime, but also because it helps to reassure communities. We all know our community has suffered from cuts to policing and the new officers will be vital to help us prevent crimes as well as solve them more quickly.”

Ruth Cadbury MP added: “The new officers are a welcome restoration of peoples’ priorities after the cuts of the outgoing Tory Mayor.  It shows the difference a Labour Mayor can make for local people.”