Valley and Larkswood SNT – Community Day of Action with Met Volunteers

Dear Valley Ward Members,

Valley and Larkswood SNT – Community Day of Action with Met Volunteers

Valley and Larkswood Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT), supported by a committed group of four Met Volunteers, carried out a highly successful day of action across the two wards, with a clear focus on strengthening community ties and promoting the Met Engage two-way communication platform.

Prior to the deployment, all volunteers were fully briefed on the purpose and importance of Met Engage and handed out the leaflets which briefly explain what MET ENGAGE is about, had the website address as well as the QR code for easy sign up/registering, as well as the approach for engaging residents in a friendly, open, and respectful manner. The emphasis was placed not just on encouraging sign-ups, but on building trust, listening to residents, and creating meaningful conversations around local policing and safety. 

Each of the volunteers wore high visibility Met tabards, ensuring they were clearly identifiable and approachable, which played a key role in reassuring residents throughout the day.

In addition, officers conducted a short survey with residents to better understand the main issues affecting their streets. This formed an important part of the engagement, ensuring that local policing priorities remain informed by the community.

Working together as one team, Valley and Larkswood officers and Met Volunteers attended selected streets-Cherrydown Ave and Larkswood Road E4 within the wards, carrying out, door-to-door engagement. Residents responded positively to the presence of police and volunteers, with many welcoming the opportunity to speak face-to-face with those working to keep their community safe. Conversations were friendly and constructive, with residents expressing appreciation for the proactive approach and visible policing presence in their area.

The promotion of Met Engage proved particularly successful, with a strong level of interest from residents who recognised the value of being more connected with their local policing teams as the numbers increased significance of the new registered users for each WARD. Officers and Met volunteers explained how the platform allows residents to know their local Officers, Sergent and Inspector by name-receive updates, share concerns, and stay informed about what is happening in their neighbourhood. Many residents signed up on the day, highlighting the effectiveness of direct engagement and personal interaction in encouraging community participation in making aware of what’s going on their street.

Importantly, the presence of both officers and Met Volunteers on the streets had a noticeably positive impact on how safe residents felt. Members of the public expressed that seeing a visible and approachable policing presence provided reassurance, helping to build confidence and a stronger sense of security within the community. The high-visibility tabards and professional, friendly approach of volunteers made them easily approachable, further encouraging residents to engage in conversations.

Throughout the operation, Valley and Larkswood officers-maintained oversight of the volunteers, offering guidance and support while ensuring the activity was carried out safely and effectively. This close partnership demonstrated a unified approach to community policing, where both officers and volunteers worked side by side with a shared goal of strengthening relationships and improving communication. 

Overall, the day of action was a clear success—not only in promoting and increasing sign-ups to Met Engage, but also in fostering a stronger sense of community spirit. The positive feedback from residents, combined with the visible reassurance provided by the presence of officers and volunteers, highlights the ongoing importance of engagement-led policing. This initiative has helped to reinforce trust, encourage collaboration, and ensure residents feel heard, supported, and connected to their local policing teams.