An additional 12 police officers are set to patrol the borough’s streets after a scheme to increase the number of officers received the financial backing of Brent Council this week.

Councillors backed budget proposals for 2017/18 which includes new funding for the MetPatrol Plus Scheme in the borough.

Under the scheme, Brent Council will provide around £400,000 to fund six additional police officers with a further six funded by the Metropolitan Police.

All twelve additional officers are set to take to the streets from May 2017 for a period of two years.

The council has stated that they will focus on tackling issues which residents want to see prioritised, including tackling violent crime, gangs and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Tom Miller, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “This week we have set a budget for a safer Brent. We have listened to the concerns of our residents who told us that that an increased number of uniformed police officers would make them feel safer, so we have taken action with the police to tackle the areas that residents feel need to be prioritised.

“With the introduction of these twelve new officers onto our borough’s streets, our message could not be clearer; violent crime, gangs and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated here in Brent.

“Overall, this is great news for the borough and goes to show how committed we are as a council in delivering a safer Brent for our residents and visitors.”