Local residents will no longer be able to walk into the village police station for help or advice, as plans to permanently close the front counter at Pinner Police Station have been confirmed.
When the Metropolitan Police announced it was closing counters across the capital earlier this year, the news was met with vehement feedback from Londoners.
The force was aiming to close a £260million funding gap by making cuts and efficiencies incrementally over the year.
Plans also aim to restructure the distribution of officers and staff so they can work in the “most effective places to deliver for London”.
Because of this, the front counter at Pinner Police Station has been operating at reduced hours.
Since then, on Wednesday, October 15, the Met Police announced a U-turn for many sites, explaining it will keep 27 front counters open across the capital.
However, it is not good news for Pinner residents, as the counter in the village is still set to close.
David Simmonds CBE, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, said: “Residents deserve a visible and accessible police presence that keeps our neighbourhoods safe and supported.
“This vital station… plays an important role in keeping residents safe and supporting neighbourhood policing across the borough.”
Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “This move strips our borough of vital, in-person access to policing – leaving residents without direct access to support, advice or protection. It’s unacceptable and undermines our vision for a borough that is clean and safe.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with only one per cent of these being made during the night. At the busiest front counter in London, on average 15 crimes are reported a day – less than one an hour – and in the least busy, only two point five crimes are reported a day.
“Londoners tell us they want to see more officers on our streets. The decision to reduce and close some front counters will save £7million and 3,752 hours of police officer time per month, allowing us to focus resources on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.
“We remain in the early stages of this proposal and have engaged with stakeholders prior to a formal consultation.”
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