Just before Christmas, the councillors fed back from the Greater London Authority, which scrutinises the work of the Mayor. Their report explained that the Mayor is “scrapping the Metropolitan Police’ Safer Transport team, which runs the Roadwatch scheme.” This is useful to know because, as the councillors explained, “Bromley’s Roadwatch scheme has been put on hold indefinitely.”
As the councillors did not explain why the scheme has changed or what that means for you, we’re sharing some additional context and information which may be useful.
What is the Safer Transport Team?
Your Safer Transport Team is a dedicated police unit, partly funded by Transport for London (TfL). It focuses on local transport issues, tackling crime, antisocial behaviour and road danger across London’s buses, roads and key transport hubs. The aim is to provide a visible police presence, work with the community and collaborate with British Transport Police.
The Safer Transport Scheme also runs The Community RoadWatch scheme. This gives residents the opportunity to work side by side with their local police teams, with the aim of giving residents a direct role in tackling road danger.
They use speed detection equipment to identify speeding vehicles and speeding hotspots in the area. Where appropriate, the police will issue warning letters and the information gathered can help to inform the future activity of local police teams. However, as many of you who have attended CHVRA meetings know, defining the hotspots is useful, but it doesn’t always lead to long term solution.
What’s changing?
Good question. If you search for news of the Safer Transport Teams closing or being scrapped, nothing comes up except the article from our councillors. There is, however, information about the teams restructuring.
The long-term funding for the Safer Transport Teams has been recurring topic of discussion for several years, which is no surprise. According to the Mayor’s speech to the London Assembly back in January 2025, “The previous Government severely underfunded policing in London with Government funding having been cut by around £1.2 billion over the past decade.” Whatever your political views, it’s safe to say that the Met is trying to balance what we need in our communities with the money available.
The Met did release an update on 17 December which related to the work of the Safer Transport Teams. We’ve included the most relevant points below:
“The Metropolitan Police Service is strengthening its partnership with Transport for London (TfL) to better serve local communities using our capital’s transport network.
The Met – through its New Met for London Plan – is committed to creating larger, more flexible neighbourhood policing teams that can respond quickly and effectively to local needs. This approach will help to make sure that police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) are deployed where they are needed most, increasing visibility and improving trust within the communities they serve.”
They continue:
“Expanding the remit of local teams will enable us to police the transport network with a greater community focus, ensuring the transport network remains a low crime environment that feels safe and secure for customers and staff. This means replacing some of the current dedicated transport officers on the bus and road network, but dedicated teams will remain policing the road network.”
Siwan Hayward, Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement at TfL, said:
“The Met and TfL will continue to make these important changes to improve the experience of using London’s roads and transport network for everyone. Further changes include increased police presence at key bus stations during term-time to protect commuters and children and a focus on enforcing criminal, dangerous and reckless road user behaviour – including offences such as speeding, drink/drunk driving and using a mobile phone while driving – to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the capital’s roads.
The Met and TfL are committed to working more closely together to improve safety and reduce crime in London. The changes are a key part of the Met’s commitment to more effectively allocate resources while addressing financial challenges.”
Looking ahead
There is no doubt that there are challenges with policing in Bromley. We’ll have to see how the changes to the Safer Transport Team affect us.
Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are currently petitioning the Mayor about cuts to front counter services at police stations, and Met Engage has posted further information about what those changes mean for you.
In the meantime, if you are concerned, you still have the power to use your voice, and stay up to date with what’s happening:
You can
• contact your local councillors, or speak to them in person at one of their regular face to face surgeries
• sign up to Met Engage, which is the community crime fighting platform sharing news and information
• speak to your Safer Neighbourhood Team at one of their local events – they’re usually held once a month, and the team are there to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Coney Hall Village Residents' Association (CHVRA) 