The Metropolitan Police’s Commissioner has been criticised for “cancelling” a visit to the borough.

In the wake of multiple stabbings and a shooting last week, MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy has written to Cressida Dick, asking why she rescinded an invitation to the borough on January 21.

Ms Creasy claimed her team had no record of a recent Walthamstow visit by the commissioner and urged her to change her mind.

But the Metropolitan Police confirmed Ms Dick in fact visited Walthamstow on January 31, Ms Creasy was not available to accompany her.

In her letter, Ms Creasy wrote: “Given the violence we are suffering here on an almost daily basis I urge you to rethink this decision. We are frightened for our young residents, and frightened that without intervention there will be more deaths and more life-changing injuries.

“We are doing everything we can as a community to try and stop this violence; we only ask that the commissioner give us an hour of her time to explore how she and her team can support this work.”

In a statement, a Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed the commissioner had visited Walthamstow on 31 January in the aftermath of 14-year-old Jaden Moodie’s death.

During her visit, Cressida Dick went to the site of the stabbing and spoke with residents and answered questions about policing from those living nearby.

The spokesman said: “On January 21 2019 the commissioner agreed with MP Stella Creasy to come to Walthamstow and meet with the local community to answer their questions regarding policing following the murder of Jaden Moodie.

“The following day Ms Creasy was informed the commissioner intended to visit on January 31 and Ms Creasy was invited to join the commissioner in visiting the Children’s Society in Stratford, Newham in the morning and then visiting Waltham Forest in the afternoon, together with the Chief Executive of Waltham Forrest Council.

“Ms Creasy wasn’t free to attend on January 31, however it was important to go ahead with the visit and meet local community representatives.

“The commissioner has visited Waltham Forest on a number of occasions and has recently visited neighbouring boroughs including Haringey and last week Newham.”

The exchange comes in the wake of a local campaign group, Waltham Forest Citizens, launching a borough-wide report into the impact government cuts have had on violent crime involving young people.

The report was launched in Waltham Forest town hall with respective council cabinet members for crime and young people, Cllr Ahsan Khan and Cllr Grace Williams, delivering speeches on the importance of tackling youth violence collectively.

The document was compiled with the help of local police, the council, youth workers and young people and called for early intervention, the prevention of school exclusions and a reversal of cuts to youth services.

Recent figures from the national Labour group claim central government funding for youth services in the borough have been slashed by up to 81 per cent since 2010.