From the people to Parliament, the MP for Ilford North delivered a very direct message from Redbridge to the House of Commons (HOC) during a debate on police funding.

After listening to the harrowing accounts of burglary victims at a public meeting in Clayhall, MP Wes Streeting stated that the borough needs more police, not less.

“The number of people who came along to the important burglary meeting sent a clear message that this issue is now getting out of hand,” he said.

“People understandably feel angry and let down.

“That’s why I spoke up in the HOC to point out that the government must invest more money in our police, rather than cutting it back further.”

According to Met Police data, between December 2016 and 2017, burglaries in Redbridge have shot up by 51per cent compared to the previous year.

Crime across all categories has also increased by 15pc.

“Criminals must know that they cannot get away with blighting our community with their heinous acts of aggression and theft,” he added.

“I will be working with Redbridge Council, the police and residents to make sure that government knows that we need more police in our area to help put a stop to the rising crime and restore public confidence in their police.”

Since March 2010, 3,304 PCSO and 2,671 police officers have been cut from the force across London.

Speaking at a Home Affairs Committee about police budgets in November, Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “I am very concerned about it, and if we got some more funding right now then I would feel more confident about our ability to deal with violent crime and our ability to keep on investing in neighbourhood and local policing.

“I would like to continue to be able to bear down on violent crime in all its forms - sexual offences, domestic violence, street crime and of course terrorism.

“That is a priority for me. But I came in at a time when we were seeing some very significant increases.

“Without more funding quite soon I am really concerned that it will be very difficult to maintain.”