CRIME affects all of us, whether we read about it in newspapers like the Harrow Times, experience it, or even sometimes feel afraid of walking at night.

Safe, strong, vibrant communities, where we can all feel safe must be top priority for making Harrow an even safer place to live.

The risk of becoming a victim of crime has been failing. In 1995 the risk was 40 per cent but by 2005 it had fallen to 23 per cent, the lowest level sine the British Crime Survey began in 1981.

The same survey has shown that Harrow is now the safest borough in London. The borough has the least number of crimes in the whole of London, with 2,884 fewer crimes being committed this year than in 2006. There have been 348 fewer robberies, the second highest reduction in London, the highest reduction is stolen vehicles and over 260 few burglaries.

Whilst this reduction in overall crime is important there is much work to do to help people feel safer. Crucial to reducing crime further are the new Safer Neighbourhood Teams of local police officers now up and running in each part of Harrow. Every ward in Harrow now has its own dedicated team of six police officers, working hard to serve our community. Their job is to stay in the area, to get to know local residents, to patrol problem areas and to pick up and act on intelligence about any anti-social behaviour.

I have recently met with the new Borough Commander Richard Walton to review crime and policing in Harrow. Commander Walton is determined to keep up the pressure, to target specific crime "hotspots" such as Harrow town centre and to reduce crimes such as knife crimes.

I want to make sure Harrow stays London's safest borough, so I have also been campaigning for Harrow to have a modern, purpose-built police station so that Harrow police can have the equipment necessary for 21st Century policing.

The current premises provide poor access to the public. The station entrance is so small some people have to wait outside the building in long queues, the car parking facilities are poor and more cells are needed.

I am working with the Borough Commander and local police to achieve this, and have already met to discuss this issue with Tony McNulty, my fellow Harrow MP and Minister for Police. I have started a campaign to gain support from Harrow people and so far 1,500 people in Harrow have signed my petition in support of a new police station. If you would like to support this campaign please phone my office for a petition form on 0207 219 4243.