Burstow on the beat in West Sutton

12.00.00am GMT Thu 5th Jan 2006

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, was out on the beat with Sgt Charles Tresham and members of the Sutton West Safer Neighbourhood team last week, as part of his regular programme of meetings with the teams who keep the area safe.

Mr Burstow joined the team as they went on their regular patrol around the ward, taking the opportunity to discuss local crime or antisocial behaviour problems.

Mr Burstow has met with six of the nine ward teams in the last 3 months and has plans to meet with the remaining three teams in coming weeks. He is also keen to meet with officers from the Sutton Town Centre team, responsible for the area around Sutton High Street and Sutton station to discuss progress in tackling anti-social behaviour issues in the town centre.

Mr Burstow, who is the president of the Neighbourhood Watch for Sutton Borough, emphasised the importance of communication between the teams and local people and community representatives.

Commenting after the patrol, Paul Burstow MP said:

"Being out on patrol with Sgt Tresham and his team is a great way to get an insight into community safety issues in this area."

"It also gives me an opportunity to make the team aware of concerns local residents have raised with me directly or through Neighbourhood Watch."

"I can only commend the excellent work which is being done by the Sutton West team and the other teams I've met with - their focus on visible, accessible policing is helping to make our area safer."