Twickenham’s MP is branding the axing of the Royal Parks Police a ‘blow to community policing’.

Lib Dem Munira Wilson has written to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to ask for the necessary funding to maintain the unit.

The Met Police Service confirmed the units would be axed earlier this week, to help plug a £260 million funding shortfall.

The dedicated policing team patrols London’s eight Royal Parks including Richmond and Bushy.