Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has written to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, voicing strong opposition to the proposed closure of the public front counter at Harrow Police Station in South Harrow.
The planned closure is part of a wider move by the Met to reduce the number of police station counters across London from 37 to 19, as revealed by the BBC. The cost-cutting plan would break a previous pledge to maintain at least one 24/7 staffed counter in each of the capital’s 32 boroughs.
In a letter dated 17 July, Gareth Thomas described the public counter as “a vital point of contact between the community and the police,” adding that it provides a direct line for residents to report crimes, seek advice, and get help in times of distress.
“This proposed closure raises significant concerns about accessibility, particularly for vulnerable individuals, the elderly, and those without access to the internet,” he wrote.
He continued, “I urge you to consider whether this approach would likewise be beneficial for Harrow, as maintaining reduced but consistent public counter hours would help to ensure that residents can still have face-to-face engagement with local police.”
On social media, the MP said: “I’ve written to Sir Mark Rowley to urgently raise my concerns over the proposed closure of the public counter at Harrow Police Station.
At a time when trust in policing matters more than ever, we must protect face-to-face services in South Harrow.
I’ve asked the Met to reconsider and explore reduced hours instead of full closure.”
A Met Police spokesperson responded to criticism of the plan, saying: “Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with the vast majority of Londoners doing it over the phone, online, or in person with officers elsewhere.
Given the Met’s budget shortfall and shrinking size, it is no longer sustainable to keep all front counters open.
That’s why we have taken the tough choice to pursue some closures and a reduction in hours – allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.”
News of the potential closure has sparked backlash from local residents. One commented, “Beyond belief that, in an area such as this, such a cut should even be considered, let alone implemented. What hope?!”
Another added, “They already closed the Pinner one years ago so South Harrow is the only one left. So if we want to contact them 999 it is as the other numbers are useless.! Reduced beat, cycles and scooters. Now they ride around on cars all day and achieve nothing.”
A third resident wrote, “We need to maintain access with what is left of our police service in the area. Closing down the Wealdstone office has had an increasingly negative impact on the area, and this suggestion seeks to make bad policy into an abysmal failure to address the needs of our area.”
The Met has yet to confirm whether the Harrow counter will definitely close, but the proposal has added to growing concerns about police visibility and accessibility in the borough.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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