Council sends pre-action protocol letter to Mayor of London and Met Police over counter closure

Last month, the Met Police confirmed that only 27 police front counters will remain open across London, down from the current 37.

Out of these, two front counters will remain open 24 hours a day at the busiest sites - Charing Cross and Lewisham.

One of the closures is the volunteer-led front desk at Pinner Police Station, which, after the announcement of the closure of Harrow Police Station’s front counter in September, would mean Harrow residents would have to go outside of the borough to access direct support.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the changes to front counter provision reflect the “rapidly changing nature of crime reporting”, with 95% of reports made by the public online, over the phone, or directly with officers.

He said: “The decisions on front counters have been made carefully based on public and operational demand, geography and feedback through a public engagement process in every area of London.”

The London Borough of Harrow has now sent a letter before action to the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police over the closure of the front counters.

Making a statement last month, Cllr Paul Osborn, Leader of the London Borough of Harrow said: “I am deeply alarmed by the Metropolitan Police’s decision to close all Police front counters in Harrow. We were never consulted on the original decision to close South Harrow which is why we passed a motion in September to oppose these plans. We are now hearing for the first time the Pinner Police Station front counter which is run by volunteers is also now on the list of planned closures.

“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, and a place where those in need are supported.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said: “We have received a letter before claim from the London Borough of Harrow in relation to the closure of the front counters at Harrow and Pinner police stations. The Metropolitan Police has also been sent the same letter. We will be responding in due course.”

Lottie Winson