COUNCIL TAKES LEGAL ACTION OVER CLOSURE OF TWICKENHAM FRONT COUNTER
Richmond Council has taken the unprecedented step to launch legal proceedings against the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) following the decision to permanently close the public front counter at Twickenham Police Station, it was announced today.
The controversial proposed move would leave Richmond as one of only five London boroughs with no police counter at all.
Cllr. Gareth Roberts said the Council had been left with “no choice” but to act, stressing the lack of consultation and the impact on residents.
“This decision is deeply concerning,” he said, describing the move as “a risk to accessibility, trust and public safety”.
“Despite previous assurances from the Met and MOPAC that every borough would retain at least one 24/7 front counter, this decision has been taken without consultation, without a clear evidence base, and without consideration for those residents who rely on in-person contact,” said Cllr. Roberts.
“We have initiated legal proceedings to ensure that decisions of this scale are taken lawfully, transparently, and with proper regard for the communities they affect.”
In a pre-action protocol letter to the Met Police and MOPAC, the Council sets out concerns including:
- Failure to consult residents, the Council or local stakeholders
- Lack of evidence demonstrating that closure is justified or that alternatives were explored
- Departure from previous commitments to maintain one front counter per borough
- Insufficient consideration of the impact on vulnerable residents requiring face-to-face support.
“Trust in policing is already fragile,” added Councillor Roberts.
“Removing the last physical point of contact from an entire borough sends entirely the wrong message to residents who simply want to feel safe and know the police are accessible.
“Our call is not about resisting change; it is about ensuring that changes are made properly and with residents’ needs at the centre.”
He said this is the latest in a line of policing decisions – including the disbandment of the Royal Parks Police covering Richmond and Bushy Parks– that undermine neighbourhood policing.
Richmond Council is calling for the immediate suspension of the closure pending the outcome of legal proceedings, and for MOPAC and the Met to reinstate a clear, borough-level plan for accessible, in-person policing.