Letter from Haringey Police Borough Commander

Please see message below from the Borough Commander,

Thanks Bob Stevenson PS52YR
Sgt Stroud Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team



Haringey Borough Commander, Sandra Looby has written an open letter to Haringey community members following the recent disorder, expressing the commitment of local police to listen to the community and together forge forward to a safer Haringey:

Dear Haringey community member,
We have been working tirelessly with our partner agencies and local community groups in order to understand how we move forward following the unprecedented scenes of disorder experienced in Tottenham and across London.

The widespread looting and deliberate damage caused to businesses and homes was the worst seen for many years and the fact that people have lost their homes, possessions and livelihoods is a great sadness to us. We were aware of the community’s concerns following the shooting of Mark Duggan and were taking advice from community representatives; however we had no indication to suggest that Haringey would be subject to such extreme violence.

We have continued to engage with the wider community whilst the Independent Police Complaints Commission rightly carries out an independent investigation into the shooting of Mark Duggan and supports his family. We will continue to listen to the concerns of Mark’s family and the wider communities as the investigation continues.

These have been some of the most difficult and challenging times for our officers who have been incredibly brave in their actions to protect the community. Our determination to support and protect the community has not wavered. Your dedicated local Safer Neighbourhood team officers continue to patrol the streets of Haringey and to offer reassurance and support to those affected by the distressing events. Thank you for the overwhelming messages of support that have helped the morale of our officers and backroom staff.

Over the next month we are committed to attend a series of listening events across the borough, so that we may understand not only the impact of these terrible events, but also how we move forward as one community in Haringey.

We recognise that the vast majority of the community abhors the disorder that took place and have a deep regard for the area in which they live. We share with you those feelings and a determination to return Haringey to everyday life and business as soon as possible and to ensure those that harmed the community are brought to justice through the courts.

The operation to trace those responsible for the disorder and damage to our community and put them before the courts continues and we ask that if you have any information, or recognise any of the people in the photographs on the Met site www.met.police.uk/disordersuspects , to call the Operation Withern Major Investigation Team on 020 8345 4142 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

We are determined to do all we can to build ever stronger community links and forge forward to a safer Haringey with the support of the community.

Yours sincerely,
Sandra Looby
Haringey Borough Commander