New top officer promises better policing as Camden and Islington units merge

Camden’s new top officer today pledged that people will get “direct influence” on policing in the borough.

In a pilot restructure, officers from Camden and Islington boroughs will combine under one unit in January.

The Met today announced that “Basic Command Units” (BCUs) will replace the current system of borough policing, with less money spent on management and more on neighbourhood policing.

And DCS Catherine Roper, the current Islington borough commander, has been promoted to oversee the Camden and Islington BCU. She told the Ham and High this afternoon: “The new model offers the opportunity to flex our available resources across Islington and Camden to make sure we can provide the best service to our communities.

“The BCU model has at its heart the principle of neighbourhood policing, ensuring dedicated assets work with local people, with an increased focus overall in protecting the most vulnerable in our boroughs. This includes an increase of both specialist skills and proactive capability.

“What I really like about the BCUs is that we will be working in partnership with the local authorities to help shape the best policing service we can for the people across Islington and Camden. This means local people and the people that represent them will have a direct influence in shaping future of policing in London.”

She added: “From a personal perspective, Islington and Camden are both incredible boroughs, and I am extremely proud to be part of this.”

Penny Banham, current borough commander of Camden, will take another role within the Met, a spokeswoman said.