FURY OVER CLOSURE OF PUBLIC COUNTER AT TWICKENHAM POLICE STATION
Local MP Munira Wilson has said the decision to close the publicly accessible front desk of Twickenham police station will be met with ‘anger and horror by local residents.’
In an attempt to balance a £260 million budget shortfall, leaked plans show only eight front desk will remain open 24/7, and there will also be reduced hours at 11 with them closing at 10pm weekdays and 7pm weekends.
The shock decision comes amid the uncertainty of the future of Teddington P:olice station in Park Road which is now a target for graffiti and remains an eyesore while a decision is made about its demolition or use for development.
In south west London, it is understood Twickenham, Merton, Wimbledon, Lavender Hill and Mitcham will lose their front desks meaning residents cannot walk in and speak to an officer face-to-face.
Kingston police station’s opening hours are likely to be reduced meaning nearest 24-hour counter to Richmond will be Acton, Sutton or Lambeth.
Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, said: “Axing Twickenham police station’s front counter leaves the entire borough of Richmond without a single public access point for our local police.
“This is yet another sign that London’s policing is struggling as crime rises, both locally and across the capital, and the police are less visible and accessible to the public. Local residents will rightly be worried about their safety and the ability to report crime easily.
“The Government must urgently commit to funding the Met properly to rebuild community policing across London before it’s too late.”
Lib Dem Assembly Member Gareth Roberts, who also serves as leader of Richmond-upon-Thames Council, added: “The decision to axe half of London’s police counters will come as a massive shock to many Londoners.
“At a time when crime, and the fear of crime, is on the rise across the capital, this not only sends the wrong message, but is yet more evidence that Sadiq Khan is failing to make the case to the Labour Government for the funding needed to keep London and Londoners safe.”
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has been forced into “substantial tough choices” despite funding increases from central and local government. The force is axing 1,700 police, staff and community support officers.
Units protecting eight Royal Parks including Richmond and Bushy Park have been disbanded, despite fierce opposition from councils and victims, 371 safer schools officers are slashed, along with cuts to forensics, mounted police and the Flying Squad.
A spokesman said: “Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with the vast majority of Londoners doing it over the phone, online, or in person with officers elsewhere.
“Given the Met’s budget shortfall and shrinking size, it is no longer sustainable to keep all front counters open. That’s why we have taken the tough choice to pursue some closures and a reduction in hours – allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.”