LOVE them or hate them, safer neighbourhood teams are now in place across London with a team based within each electoral ward.

The teams are financed via funding from central Government and also the Met Police Authority precept levied on the council tax bills of householders in London and therefore you, the taxpayer, are paying them.

And this is why, in my role as London Assembly Member and member of the Met Police Authority, it is my duty to scrutinise the value for money these teams offer the public. This can't be done without the public's feedback.

I would be grateful if you would contact me at the address below, outlining your experiences of the safer neighbourhood teams - whether positive or negative or alternatively email me at Richard.Barnes@london.gov.uk Have you had contact with your team? Was it positive? Do you know where your team is based or how it can be contacted? Is it visible? Does it make you feel more secure?

Because safer neighbourhood teams are quite costly, it is essential they are given the best direction in order to maximise effectiveness.

The London Assembly, and members of the Met Police Authority, are in a position to influence and give some direction, and hopefully, with some appropriate feedback from you we shall be able to achieve that.

Richard Barnes, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, and Conservative spokesman on policing, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, SE1 2AA