An MP has raised her concerns with the Met Police Commissioner over rising youth violence in her borough.

During a meeting between Enfield North MP Joan Ryan and Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, and Deputy Commissioner, Stephen House in Parliament on Tuesday.

They discussed the development of the Enfield and Haringey Knife Crime and Serious Youth Violence Action Plan and the on-going deployment of additional police officers to Enfield from the Met Police’s Violent Crime Taskforce and the Territorial Support Group, following violence last November.

Ms Ryan raised concerns regarding the pressure the Government has put on the Met Police’s budget – an £850 million cut since 2010 – resulting in the loss of 3,000 police officers and 3,000 police community support officers (PCSOs), including 97 officers and 144 PCSOs from Enfield. Cressida Dick said the Met Police is working hard to recruit and train new officers and protect frontline numbers, but all their efforts come against a backdrop of a further £263 million cut they are expected to have to make by 2022-23.

Joan Ryan MP said: “Enfield’s residents have the right to feel safe and be safe in their home and our neighbourhoods.

"The rise in serious youth violence is very concerning, so I was pleased to meet the Met’s Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to consider the measures that can be taken to address this matter urgently.

"The police are doing a good job, under very difficult circumstances, but it’s clear from the Government’s staggering cuts to the police budget that Ministers are reducing the priority they place on keeping our young people and our communities safe.

"I am seeking a parliamentary debate on these issues to hold the Government to account for their abdication of responsibility on public safety.”