Lib Dems Slam Met Plan to Close Local Police Front Counters
Twickenham and Richmond Liberal Democrats have expressed deep concern at the Metropolitan Police’s decision to close nearly half of London’s public-facing police front counters dropping from 37 to just 19, with only 8 staying open 24/7.
Under the plan, Twickenham's public-facing front counters, the last in our borough, will be entirely closed. This would leave our entire borough without any public access points, leaving residents without a way to report a crime, provide documentation, or seek support from the police in person.
Local officers were reportedly only informed of the changes yesterday, with no consultation or prior warning given.
The announcement lands amid a strong local push by Gareth Roberts AM, backed by MPs Munira Wilson and Sarah Olney, to restore proper community policing. Their campaign emphasises the need for officers to be present & visible, and available when residents need them the most. With previous policing cuts undermining the vital link between police & public across Richmond borough, this announcement is another blow.
While the Met claims it will prioritise local neighbourhood policing teams and explore "video appointments" for victims of crime, concerns remain that frontline services are being hollowed out without viable alternatives in place.
At a time when crime, and the fear of crime, is on the rise across the capital this decision not only sends the wrong message. I have requested a Special London Assembly Plenary to discuss the closure of the Metropolitan Police Counters.
Cllr Gareth Roberts AM, Richmond Council Leader and London Assembly Member for the South West Constituency
The Met cites financial pressures, a £260m shortfall for officers next year and £1.7bn in unmet estate investment needs, as the reason for its "rationalisation" strategy. This is yet more evidence that Sadiq Khan is failing in his duty to the to make the case to the Labour Government for the funding needed to keep London and Londoners safe.
Gareth Roberts has started a petition calling on the Mayor to keep our local front counters open at Twickenham Police Station. Sign the petition here.
We know that years of underfunding and cuts to community policing under previous Conservative Governments, combined with a crisis in recruitment and retention of staff, have taken their toll. Further cuts only put another nail in the coffin of community policing.
Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham
Enough is Enough. These plans follow on from the closures of local police stations, including Richmond, Teddington and Hampton Police Stations, and the scrapping of the Royal Parks Police Units, affecting both Bushy Park and Richmond Park. With 4 out of the 5 front counter services in the South West London BCU area due to be axed, local police services are being stretched to the extreme.
When Richmond police station was shut down, part of the assurances for residents included access to counters in nearby areas. This announcement not only betrays that assurance, but also breaks their own public commitment to maintain at least one public 24hr counter per borough.
Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park
Our local representatives, along with other Lib Dem South West London MPs, have sent a letter to the Home Secretary demanding that the Met Police be funded in full. You can see the letter here.