Strategic Behaviour Manager - Virtual Behaviour Service

Merton is an outer London borough situated to the south west of central London. The demographics of the borough and some of its defining characteristics are listed below. 

• Population of 197,700 (mid-year 2006 estimate) – projected to increase to 207,400 by 2015 – living in
78,000 households.  
• Three main town centres: Wimbledon, Mitcham and Morden.
• Predominantly suburban in character, with high levels of commuter flows in and out of central London.
• Good connections with the London transport network – the District and Northern lines both run through the borough,Tramlink provides connections between Wimbledon and Croydon via Mitcham and Morden, and numerous over-ground stations and bus routes provide easy access to central London and neighbouring boroughs.
• Significant amounts of green space – notably Wimbledon and Mitcham commons. The borough also has 67 parks and open spaces, 11 nature reserves and 17 allotment sites. 
• Approximately 25% of the population is from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, rising to 50% of children attending Merton schools.
• 160 languages are spoken in Merton’s 43 primary and 11 secondary schools.
• Increasing numbers of groups with particular needs, for example, older people and BME communities.
• Seven libraries provide Internet access, summer reading schemes and homework clubs as well as traditional book, CD, DVD and video lending.
• Merton plays host to one of the country’s most famous sporting events – the Wimbledon fortnight held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
• Council tax is currently set at £1,401.31 (2008/09) for a band D property (including the Greater London Authority precept), at the median level for outer London boroughs.
• Main areas of concern to residents are the level of council tax, street cleanliness, and crime and anti-social behaviour, although Merton is consistently in the top three safest boroughs in London.