We would like to express our thanks to everyone who has come out in support of the police in the aftermath of the recent horrific events.

Our members, the rank and file officers on the street, have been comforted by the words and actions (including numerous cups of tea) of the overwhelming majority of the public in support of the difficult job our members have had to carry out — especially the long hours over many days.

Police officers will continue their hard work on behalf of the public to continue to keep the streets of our capital city quiet.

A sense of community has grown over the past week especially in those areas hardest hit by the wanton violence and destruction, this is the real Big Society; people from all walks of life coming together to support each other.

While we understand the economic plight of the country this is not of our making, the Government have recently performed U-turns in relation the the armed forces, the NHS and even the forests, but has steadfastly refused to to look again at policing. Should these cuts come to fruition we would not have the resources to mobilise 16,000 officers onto the streets of the capital.

In the spirit of the Big Society may I appeal to readers to continue to support their local police and to take the opportunity to write to their MP, the Home Secretary, the Prime Minister and the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority with the clear message that the cuts of 20 per cent to police budgets will lead to fewer officers on the streets of local communities and the Government should reverse this misguided ploicy immediately.

John Tully
Vice chairman, Metropolitan Police Authority