Met Commissioner opens SE1's new beat base

Sir John Stevens

Sir John said: “There is no doubt that closer working between police, community wardens and police community support officers will bring results through regular daily contact.

“We are happy to be part of this initiative and responding to the particular needs of this community. It offers a wide network of services from all those working to make Southwark safer – supporting staff at the hospital and nearby businesses, reducing crime and providing reassurance to the whole community.”

Plaque unveiled by Sir John and Patricia Moberly

The Police and Community Wardens' Office (PCWO) at Guy's Hospital has been made possible by a partnership between Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, King's College London, the Metropolitan Police, Southwark Council, Better Bankside and the Pool of London Partnership.

It provides a focal point for all the agencies involved to help make the hospital and its surrounding area a safer place for patients, staff and visitors to Guy's, students from King's College London and everyone who lives and works locally.

The PCWO, a former hairdresser's, will be an administrative base for two Home Beat police officers, two police community support officers and five community wardens. The police intend running weekly drop-in advice surgeries at the office which will be publicised in advance.

The Bankside and Pool of London Community Wardens are patrolling a three square mile area which extends from Blackfriars Bridge to Shad Thames.

Borough Commander Ian Thomas with Sir John Stevens and Patricia Moberly

Patricia Moberly, Chairman of Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is setting a wonderful example of co-operation with the NHS and its Southwark partners here at Guy's.

“We are all contributing to the effort to make the hospital environment safer for patients, staff, visitors and local people. I am confident that this office will be successful and I hope that other NHS sites will benefit from similar imaginative schemes.”

Professor Barry Ife, Acting-Principal of King's College London, added: “Security for our staff and students is of paramount importance and this initiative can only help to ensure a secure working environment.”