The first cricket match between officers from the Met Police in Sutton and a team from the Wentworth Hall Mosque in Wallington finally got underway on Tuesday, 16 August.

After the disappointment of last year’s match being rained off, both sides took to the field bathed in bright sunshine at Purley Sports Club in Purley with a sense of history in the making.

However, it soon became apparent that the police team looked short of 20/20 match practice and fell behind, ultimately losing by some 50 runs.

PC Sohail Syed, of Carshalton Central Safer Neighbourhoods Team, who helped to organise the police team said it was a great game enjoyed by both sets of players.

“We have a Muslim community in Sutton that is keen to engage with police and to invite us to their events such as Friday prayers and Eid in the Park,” said PC Syed. “The cricket match underlines that our relationship is strong, positive and in good shape – and both teams are talking about playing more matches,” he added.

Caption: Line up includes Sutton Borough Commander Dave Stringer (front row to the right of centre) and Sutton’s Mayor Cllr Richard Clifton (back row left of centre)