Weekly message from Richmond's top cop Sally Benatar

By The Editor 9th Aug 2020

An update to the public on this weekend's policing priorities has been given by Richmond's top police officer.

Chief superintendent Sally Benatar is South West borough commander for the Met Police.

This is her message to residents.

I hope you have had a good week and are managing to enjoy the sunshine and hot weather.

Last weekend, we saw a number of unlicensed music events take place across the capital. We had officers deployed in areas where we had intelligence these would take place – to engage with organisers and disrupt the events before they gained traction – and others to respond where spontaneous events emerged.

We are anticipating that the good weather will mean we will be busy over the weekend, and we will continue to deploy a significant number of officers to respond to any incidents, prevent any disorder and protect our communities.

These events place significant demand on the Met and may have a huge impact on residents in the surrounding area. We are grateful for all of the support we have received from stakeholders and partners, as well as residents, and for the information that we have been provided with about events being organised in their areas.

We are also aware of planned protests to mark the anniversary of Mark Duggan's death and have been working with local partners and the community in connection with their concerns and arrangements to keep everyone safe.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Notting Hill Carnival has been cancelled and the event has moved online. We are still planning for a busy bank holiday weekend across London and operational plans are in place overseen by an experienced command team. The Met police is planning a series of community events to let people know what the police response will look like over the bank holiday weekend and we will share further details in due course.

Lastly, Episode 3 of Talk Richmond is live and this week, Police Sergeant Scott Brodie joined Cllr Jim Millard and Barbara Lingle Elliot from Mothers Against Muggings to discuss personal safety in the borough of Richmond Upon Thames.