POLICE hope to fill in the “cracks” in local crime fighting, a top officer said at the opening of a new police building yesterday.

Wembley Central Safer Neighbourhood Team's (SNT) new base in Park Lane was formally opened yesterday and will see the 11-strong team stationed in the heart of the community.

Brent Borough Commander Matthew Gardener said: “I think the Safer Neighbourhood Wards are the cracks in the road that have been a bit difficult to deal with in the past.

“This new base gives us a way of getting into the community and flourishing.”

The team of one sergeant, two PCs and eight PCSOs had been operating from Wembley Police Station, but Safer Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Taff Thomas said it was better for the team to be based on the ward.

He said: “This is a welcome addition to the safer neighbourhood’s principle of placing local officers within the centre of the community they serve.

“I would encourage residents and businesses to approach local officers and discuss any of their concerns with them.”

In a period of cuts and economic uncertainty, Brent Council's cabinet member for crime prevention, Lincoln Beswick, said he was delighted to see that the police had continued their commitment to tackling crime locally.

He said: “This is a commitment to bringing the police closer to the community and I congratulate them for doing it.

“Now the residential community and business people have to match that by helping the police in what they do.”