Anger at police station closure plans (From Haringey Independent)

Councillors attack mayor's plans to close Muswell Hill police station

5:32pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Councillors have hit out at proposals from the Mayor of London which will leave the borough with one 24-hour police station.

The statements come after Boris Johnson announced today there would be close police stations across the capital as part of his draft police and crime plan for London.

Members of Haringey Borough Council have attacked the plans which will see Muswell Hill's police station close and stations in Tottenham and Hornsey will have their opening hours cut from 24-hours to daytime hours.

The station in High Road, Wood Green, will be Haringey’s only police station open 24 hours a day.

Cabinet member for communities Councillor Richard Watson said: “Having only one full-time police station based in Haringey is simply not good enough. It will undermine community safety not just in Tottenham, but across the borough.

“Both the Government and the Mayor’s office need to listen to the genuine concerns of residents before ploughing ahead with their reckless and chaotic cuts to local policing.”

Lib Dem opposition councillor Martin Newton said: “The Lib Dems are opposed to any reduction in hours at Hornsey police station and will be fighting to keep a police base and front counter staffed by the dedicated team of volunteers in Muswell Hill.

"It is unacceptable that local residents would have to travel to Wood Green to report a crime. Police services need to be provided locally. "The Mayor of London and the police should be making it easier for residents to contact the police not harder."