The Issue
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Metropolitan Police have announced a series of closures and reduced opening hours for Police Station Front Counters across London – in direct breach of Khan’s 2024 Election Manifesto pledge to keep a 24/7 front counter open in every borough. Across London this means:
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Closing the front counters at Barking, Chingford, Church Street, Harrow, Kensington, Mitcham, Pinner, Royalty Studios, Twickenham and Wimbledon Police Stations
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Reducing the opening hours at Acton, Bethnal Green, Bexleyheath, Brixton, Bromley, Colindale, Croydon, Dagenham, Edmonton, Forest Gate, Hammersmith, Hayes, Hounslow, Ilford, Islington, Kentish Town, Kingston, Lavender Hill, Plumstead, Romford, Stoke Newington, Sutton, Tottenham, Walworth and Wembley Police Stations
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Leaving no front counters open in Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, Richmond and Waltham Forest Boroughs
At a time when crime rates are increasing, cutting essential services like this is detrimental to the safety and well-being of our community.
The annual cost of reversing ALL front desk closures in London is £7m and yet the Mayor is spending £25m over the next three years on decarbonising Metropolitan Police buildings.
For residents in London, the Police Station Front Counter is not just a desk – it’s a symbol of security, a place for immediate help and a cornerstone of justice. Sadiq Khan and the Met are misleading the public by only quoting crimes reported and not taking into account all the other footfall that occurs at these front counters.
Not everyone in our city has access to online services or is comfortable using them, making physical access to the Police crucial for a significant proportion of our residents, especially the elderly and those less technologically savvy.
Sign this petition to show your support for keeping front counter access across London.