THE highest ranking officer in the Met says he is determined to protect the borough if police funding is cut by the Government.

Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

MUCH TO THINK ABOUT: Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson at Croydon police station Photo No: CRNA20100823C_19
FULL OF PRAISE: Sir Paul Stephenson with PCSO Lorraine Thompson Photo No: CRNA20100823C_06
PROMISING TO PROTECT CROYDON: Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson on his visit to the borough
Photo No: CRNA20100823C_21 by Neale Atkinson

THE highest ranking officer in the Met says he is determined to protect the borough if police funding is cut by the Government.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson visited Croydon police station on Monday afternoon .

He admitted there were "extraordinary challenging times ahead".

"We live in the real world and we see what's happening elsewhere," Sir Paul said.

"We understand policing has got to take its share.

"Obviously I'm concerned but at this moment in time I don't yet know the scale of the financial challenges.

"I'm concerned but I'm determined to do all I can with my colleagues, both at New Scotland Yard and out here in boroughs such as this, to maintain wherever possible the operational capabilities that are making such a difference.

"If you look at the indicative scale of cuts we've got it's almost inevitable the Met will shrink.

"But it's my job to make sure we take out the costs from everything, everywhere I can, before I go anywhere near the operational capabilities."

During Sir Paul's visit he met PCSO Lorraine Thompson who spoke about the work she has been doing finding places to live for Croydon's homeless community.

The Advertiser has previously told how she has been credited with single-handedly curing the town's homeless problem.

Sir Paul spoke to her about her new project which will focus on regenerating a derelict building and adjoining wasteland in East Croydon.

PCSO Thompson wants the building to provide training and employment opportunities for people coming out of rehabilitation programmes.

The 49-year-old has already opened a resource centre in Booth Road, Croydon, where the homeless, alcoholics, drug addicts or anyone who just wants someone to talk to can go for help.

It opened its doors in February after PCSO Thompson had spent eight months looking for a location.

PCSO Thompson, who has now helped house more than 70 people, said: "Homeless people can come in and have a bath and some food.

"We have music playing and it's all very relaxed. We can then sit down and work out what we can do for them, for example do we need to sort out their benefits."

During his visit Sir Paul talked of his pride at the work PCSO Thompson is carrying out.