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Escort offer for cash withdrawals Escort offer for cash withdrawals
(about 3 hours later)
Vulnerable people in east London are being offered a police escort when withdrawing large sums of money from cash points, it has emerged. Vulnerable people in east London are being offered a police escort when withdrawing money from cash points, it has emerged.
Residents can ring up for the escort, with officers following at a safe distance so as not to draw attention.Residents can ring up for the escort, with officers following at a safe distance so as not to draw attention.
The scheme was set up by members of the Safer Neighbourhoods team in Wanstead and Snaresbrook.The scheme was set up by members of the Safer Neighbourhoods team in Wanstead and Snaresbrook.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said the scheme was intended to raise police visibility.A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said the scheme was intended to raise police visibility.
Posters advertising the service also emphasised officers will only go direct to a home as "unfortunately the police cannot do your shopping with you". Posters advertising the service, which has been running for five months, also emphasised officers will only go direct to a home as "unfortunately the police cannot do your shopping with you".
A statement issued by the Met said: "This is an extension of the ward's work around personal safety."A statement issued by the Met said: "This is an extension of the ward's work around personal safety."
One borough officer said the service was not set up because of a high risk of being mugged but as an "extra".One borough officer said the service was not set up because of a high risk of being mugged but as an "extra".
She said: "As long as you live locally we will walk home with you. We won't get into a car.She said: "As long as you live locally we will walk home with you. We won't get into a car.
"We have had a few calls. We are not doing anything out of the ordinary. We are in the high street.""We have had a few calls. We are not doing anything out of the ordinary. We are in the high street."