WALTHAM Forest's top police officer has denied suggestions that he has not asked the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) for more police officers.

Chief Supt Mark Benbow, who is currently on holiday, has spoken out after reading an MPA statement on the Guardian website saying there has been no request from him for extra officers.

The MPA statement was issued in response to council leader Chris Robbins' plea for more officers for Waltham Forest, which has 200 fewer officers than nearby boroughs Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, despite similar population levels.

Chief Supt Benbow said: “I am away at the moment but I support the council's campaign.

“I have consistently tried to obtain more resources for the borough.

“It is untrue that I have not made representations to the MPA as I have had frequent discussions on this topic with our link MPA member who is supportive. "

Cllr Robbins, and his communtiy safety member Afzal Akram, are due to meet Met representatives on August 26.

Cllr Robbins believes the borough is about 120 officers short of what it needs to combat crime more effectively.

This is because the borough is still classed as outer London, despite, says Cllr Robbins, having inner London problems such as drug-related crime.

An MPA spokesman said the borough is “at or near the number of police officers it is required to have.”

The Guardian is awaiting a further response from the MPA following Chief Supt Benbow's comments.