London borough launches legal action against Met Police and Mayor’s Office over police front counter closure

According to the local authority, this would leave Richmond as one of only five London boroughs with no police counter at all.

In a pre-action protocol letter to the Met Police and MOPAC, the council has outlined the following concerns:

• Failure to consult residents, the council or local stakeholders
• Lack of evidence demonstrating that closure is justified or that alternatives were explored
• Departure from previous commitments to maintain one front counter per borough
• Insufficient consideration of the impact on vulnerable residents requiring face-to-face support.

This follows similar action by the London Borough of Harrow last month, when the authority sent a letter before action to the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police over the closure of the front counters at Harrow and Pinner police stations.

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

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.

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said the decision to close the Twickenham front counter was “deeply concerning”, describing the move as “a risk to accessibility, trust and public safety”.

He added: “Despite previous assurances from the Met and MOPAC that every borough would retain at least one 24/7 front counter, this decision has been taken without consultation, without a clear evidence base, and without consideration for those residents who rely on in-person contact.

“We have initiated legal proceedings to ensure that decisions of this scale are taken lawfully, transparently, and with proper regard for the communities they affect.”

The council is calling for the immediate suspension of the closure pending the outcome of legal proceedings, and for MOPAC and the Met to reinstate a “clear, borough-level plan for accessible, in-person policing”.

A Metropolitan Police Spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned legal action regarding the proposed closure of the front counter in Twickenham.

“We will continue to work closely with all partners throughout this process.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said: “We have received a letter before claim from the London Borough of Richmond in relation to the closure of the front counter at Twickenham police station. We will respond in due course.”

Lottie Winson