Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Met Police confirmed Chingford Police Station’s front desk in Waltham Forest will shut, drawing strong criticism from residents and politicians.
The Met declared in August that it would close 18 of London‘s 37 front counters, including those in Chingford, Edmonton, and Tottenham.
This was changed to reflect 10 counters closing and 27 remaining open after public comment. Among those to close is the front desk of Chingford Police Station.
Charing Cross and Lewisham will be the only locations open around-the-clock.
As part of its attempt to close a £260 million financial gap, the Met has justified the proposal by claiming that “just 5%” of all crimes were reported using front counters last year, with “only 1%” of those crimes occurring at night. The strategy is expected to save the Met £7 million.
According to the Met, eliminating front desks will save money and time specifically, “2,900 hours” of police time each month.
However, Waltham Forest will no longer have any police stations with a walk-in front desk as a result of the relocation, which is anticipated to be finished by the new year. The front desks in Stratford and Ilford will be the closest to inhabitants of Waltham Forest after they are shuttered.
In 2011, 2012, and 2014, respectively, the borough’s police stations in Walthamstow, Leyton, and Leytonstone closed.
In 2017, a front desk on Walthamstow High Street was shut down.
Forest of Waltham Emma Best, a Tory leader, told Echo that London Mayor Sadiq Khan was treating the residents of Chingford and Waltham Forest like “second class citizens.”
Waltham Forest Council leader Grace Williams expressed her “disappointment” at the decision, stating she had raised her concerns directly with the borough’s police commander.
She told the Echo:
“We are actively exploring ways we can work together to increase our support to local people through initiatives like including co-location with council services such as local libraries or other places where we already provide drop-in support.
I understand this is a corporate decision taken across London. But I am nevertheless anxious that this puts at risk some of the great work we have been doing in partnership to build trust and accountability between the police and our community.”
Phillip Herlihy, who chairs the Walthamstow High Street ward police panel, suggested the police consider placing “video booths with secure waiting space” in already staffed public buildings like libraries, hospitals or fire stations.
He said:
“They could be efficiently manned by officers from the MetCC centres, but in a more ‘in person’ way than just a voice on your mobile. At times of stress, how people feel really matters.”
Chingford and Woodford Green MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith also voiced his “deep disappointment” at the decision.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the Conservative MP said:
“Chingford has a disproportionately high elderly population compared to other areas of London. The closure of the front desk will significantly affect accessibility to policing services for our elderly and most vulnerable residents, many of whom rely on face-to-face policing services and are unable to use the Met’s digital or phone-based alternatives.
I urge the Metropolitan Police to reconsider this decision in the interest of public confidence in policing, public safety and fairness.”
A Met spokesperson said:
“We are keeping 27 front counters open which are geographically spread across London. Where they do close, new weatherproof phones will be installed outside to minimise the impact. The public can also easily book appointments to see an officer, report on 999, 101 and online, and access video appointments.
So reporting a crime is more convenient than ever and 95% or reports do not involve a front counter. That proportion will only increase given modern preferences and it’s right we allocate our resources appropriately.”
The Ilford and Stratford front desks are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How can residents oppose the police station front desk closure?
Often, community groups are undertaking petitions asking for the front counters to remain. By asking people to sign, as well as distributing the petition, you will be able to demonstrate just how much your community opposes cutbacks, to decision makers such as the Metropolitan Police, or a local councilor.
Attend any public meetings or consultations so that you have a chance to voice your concerns directly to the police, and council leaders.
Write to or contact your local councillors, your MP, and the Mayor of London with your concerns and inform them about the impact on vulnerable people in the community that may need and use face-to-face support from the police
Use local newspapers, local radio and social media, to inform the public of the negative impact that closures will have on local people and also garner more community support.