Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee visited Sutton last Thursday at the invitation of local MP Tom Brake to meet with the local police force to discuss new initiatives in the area and the Home Affairs Select Committee Policing in the 21st Century Report.
Keith met with, Safer Sutton Partnership and the Sutton Safer Parks team who have recently taken over responsibility for parks in the area and tested out the 4 x 4 vehicles which will patrol the area.
The visit incorporated a tour of the partially built Life Centre which will offer school children the chance to learn, using real life scenarios, played out in a virtual world.
Keith said of the visit, "I was delighted to visit Sutton the invitation of fellow Committee Member Tom Brake. It was great to meet the police on the frontline, serving our communities. As part of the Committee's Policing in the 21st Century Report, myself, Tom and the rest of the Committee engaged with police at every level with forces across the country. "
"I am looking forward to seeing the new equipment which has been made available to the Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Team. It is vital that our police forces are resourced with the most effective equipment to assist them in tackling crime in the 21st Century."
Commenting on Keith's visit Tom said 'I am pleased that Keith accepted my invitation to come to Sutton and see the developments that are taking place in our community.'
'The Sutton Life Centre will be a national first with facilities for local people of all ages and is a unique learning centre for schoolchildren. The hi-tech facilities it will have will help tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour and personal safety by allowing children to play out real life scenarios in a virtual world.'
