Liberal Democrats believe Richmond Park 'could be rocked' this month as it potentially loses officers due to lack of funds from the Met.

The ten strong policing team cover all aspects of safety within Richmond Boroughs two Royal Parks, Bushy and Richmond.

With patrols from 7am till 11pm, anything from missing people, serious incidents, and collisions to distress to wildlife is covered.

According to multiple reports last month, it was announced that the Met could see around 2,000 officers and 400 staff loss their jobs because of a £450m funding shortfall. 

East Sheen Lib Dem Councillor Julia Cambridge, a member of the Safer Parks Police Panel, helped organised a day of action covering six gates in Richmond Park over the weekend to get petition signatures. 

The Lib Dems want to 'stop police cuts, fund the police and protect the park' (credit: Image supplied).

Cllr Cambridge said: "Many don't know about these proposals and those who do are worried.

"We are calling on the Home Office to urgently fund the Met Police adequately and prevent cuts like this becoming a reality. Successive governments have starved the police service to the bone."

At Saturday's (4 January) event, park visitors were asked to sign a petition, also available online, demanding action from the Home Office. 

East Sheen resident who volunteered at Sheen Gate, John Evans, commented: "I have been coming to Richmond Park for over 50 years and have seen many changes in that time.

"Having no police presence in the park will be disastrous and will put the safety of people and animals at risk."

Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney (second from left) supports the peition (credit: Image supplied).

MP Sarah Olney joined the community at Ham Gate to support the petition who also recently wrote to Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley after concerns had been raised about the potential for cuts. 

Cllr Cambridge continued: "One of the biggest concerns the community has is what will this mean for their local policing.

"Forces are already stretched and now they could be facing, in the case of Richmond Park, a 2,500-acre area with over five million visitors a year.

"If these cuts go ahead the fear is that local policing with be compromised with this increased burden.

"We stand by the hard-working parks police unit. We understand and have huge sympathy with the difficult choices being looked at due to underfunding. The Home Office need to listen and act."

Similarly, Council leader and South West Constituency London Assembly member Cllr Gareth Roberts supported the day and petition to protect Bushy and Richmond Park.

Good support for our petition to Save The Royal Parks Police today in Richmond ParkVolunteers, Councillors and @sarahjolney1 all out in force to gain support for a rethinkSIGN THE PETITION HERE:https://t.co/L79h5X8Xc1 pic.twitter.com/oWY19d9vPL

— Gareth Roberts (@Gareth_Roberts_) January 4, 2025

The petition is available on: www.trlibdems.org.uk/our-campaigns/richmond-parks-police

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