Call for guarantees over future of police stations (From Haringey Independent)

Call for guarantees over future of police stations

4:58pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

A councillor has called for guarantees from the Mayor of London over the future of police stations in the borough.

Stations in Hornsey, St. Ann’s and Muswell Hill could face closure after Mayor Boris Johnson refused to rule out the possibility of closing police counters as part of savings to the capital’s police budget.

Last week at mayor’s question when Mr Johnson was quizzed about the possible changes he said he could guarantee only a single 24/7 police station per borough.

Metropolitan Police is planning to develop ‘public access points’ in supermarkets and places of worship which the Mayor hopes will replace closed counters.

Councillor and Haringey Borough Council cabinet member Richard Watson said: “With the Mayor now refusing to guarantee the future of our local police counters, residents are entitled to some answers.

“The closure of police stations in Hornsey, Muswell Hill and St. Ann’s would undermine community safety and the peace of mind of local families.

“The Government’s approach to police reforms is looking more and more shambolic every day - leaving only one major police counter in Haringey would clearly be a step too far.”

It is estimated £380million will be saved by the closure of police stations across London as part of savings required for the police budget.