MET ENGAGE
This is a two-part article on a new scheme introduced recently by the Metropolitan Police for residents to sign up to so-called “Met Engage” as well as a report on a meeting I attended as a result of signing up to the scheme myself.
The idea of Met Engage is to deliver a service to the public in order to get to know your local officers, help shape how policing is delivered in your local area and have direct access to key information and advice. It is also a platform for you to tell the police what your concerns are so that officers can take action on issues that matter to you.
It will also give information on important meetings, crime prevention advice and updates on activity in your area.
To sign up, go to metengage.co.uk.
As a result of receiving e-mails from this scheme, I was advised of a meeting on 9th December 2025 at the Ark Evelyn Grace Academy (Herne Hill) entitled “Community Crime Fighting” which was full to capacity. It was introduced by Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
All attendees were asked to write down three concerns they had most for discussion, which resulted in various Inspectors and Sergeants covering different wards in Lambeth responding. Four of the concerns that came up most were crime hot spots, particularly in Vauxhall, the vast number of illegal bikes and e-scooters that plague our streets, visibility, i.e. more police needed on the streets, and young people not feeling safe and finding safe places to go.
Although the responses to these concerns were positive in that the police are seeking to address these issues, it was stated that vehicle crime had reduced as well as other serious crime – one Councillor refuted this statement by saying the stats sounded inaccurate!
During a short Q & A session at the end of the meeting, a lady who had her car broken into was less than happy with the statement that car crime had reduced as, when she called the police, they did not attend. Also, young people excluded from school feel negative towards the police.
Other questions that came up concerning violence towards women and girls was what groups are the police working with to combat this? Where is the training for bias against black people, especially young offenders. The response was that the police are working to improve these areas as best they can.
A bonus for attendees was free hot food and drink on arrival!
Mike Morfey
SVPOA Committee
