Labour's Deputy Leader and Chair Harriet Harman MP will go out on the beat with the Neighbourhood Policing Team in her constituency of Camberwell and Peckham today.

"It is absolutely crucial to have neighbourhood policing which is visible. People feel safer when there is a police presence.

In 2002 I launched Southwark Police 1000. This has worked towards increasing the numbers of police in Southwark to 1000 which is the number of officers Southwark Police said they need to carry out their duties. We have strengthened police numbers from 775 to 840 and will keep working until we reach our target.”

By April 1st Labour's promise of a neighbourhood policing unit in every community in the UK will be achieved with local officers who can be contacted on their mobile phone. There have been Safer Neighbourhood Officers in each of the 21 wards in Southwark for the past 12 months.

"The success of the neighbourhood policing in Southwark is a great example of how well the scheme has been working."