Plans to close Harrow’s only remaining police station front desk have prompted strong criticism and opposing statements from both the Conservatives and Labour.
The Metropolitan Police announced last month that Harrow Police Station’s front desk in South Harrow is at risk of closure as part of wider proposals to shut half of all front counters across London. A final decision has not yet been confirmed.
Conservatives argue the plan is linked to Labour’s management of policing budgets, while Labour councillors in Harrow say years of Conservative cuts to police funding are to blame.
Harrow East MP Bob Blackman said: “For years Sadiq Khan has told us how much better London would be with a Labour Mayor and a Labour Government. Yet London is no better! That’s why I urge everyone to sign my petition calling for the Mayor to reverse his cuts, keep Harrow Police Station front desk open and protect local residents, not play politics.”
David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner, added: “We have a government in Westminster without direction and a Mayor in London who is more concerned about punishing motorists than keeping residents safe. Cutting police numbers and closing the last remaining front desk in Harrow at a time when crime in London is soaring under his leadership is wholly irresponsible. I will continue to campaign on behalf residents to ensure that we have accessible local police.”
Susan Hall AM, Harrow Councillor and Leader of City Hall Conservatives, said: “When Labour wins London loses – despite us constantly warning the Mayor that failing to properly fund our police would lead to devastating cuts, he would not listen. Now Londoners will pay the price by losing vital frontline officers in the midst of a crimewave, whilst the threat of police counter closures loom. This cannot go on.
“He needs to pick up the phone, actually fight for our city for once, and put this right before more Londoners lose their belongings, their livelihoods, or their lives to criminals. It’s a disgrace.”
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Leader of Harrow Council and Harrow Conservatives, Cllr Paul Osborn said: “This is a damming indictment of Labour’s first year in office. Labour’s decisions are hitting home here in Harrow with 1,025 fewer police officers across our police force, weakening frontline policing and putting local safety at risk. To compound this issue, Sadiq Khan recently announced the closure of Harrow’s only Police front desk. Labour, both in Parliament and City Hall, have undermined the police service in Harrow. I will do all I can to hold this failing Labour Government to account to ensure you and your family feel safe within the local community.”
Harrow Labour councillors have launched a campaign to oppose the proposed closure, arguing that the loss of the 24-hour desk will make it harder for residents, particularly older and vulnerable people to report crime.
Councillor Peymana Assad, Harrow Labour’s lead on Community Safety, said: “Harrow Labour fully opposes any proposal by the Metropolitan Police to close the Harrow Police Station front desk. With crime and anti-social behaviour on the rise, keeping a public-facing service open to residents sends a signal to our community that their safety is the police’s top priority. Without a front-desk service, our elderly and most vulnerable residents will have nowhere to go when reporting crime and those in Harrow who wish to threaten community safety will feel emboldened to do so.
“After 14 years of devastating cuts to the Metropolitan Police Service across Harrow under successive Conservative governments, we understand the pressures facing our Police- however, these closures in Harrow and across London will only lead to further financial pressures as crime and anti-social behaviour run rampant. To help us oppose this front-desk closure in Harrow, please visit our website and sign the petition below to keep Harrow police station serving our community:”
Gareth Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West added: “A decade ago, I ran a strong campaign to protect frontline policing in Harrow, as Conservative governments recklessly oversaw the closure of Wealdstone Police Station. Now, with the front desk service in South Harrow under threat, I have urgently called on Sir Mark Rowley to demand it remains in place.
“I have recently worked with local police to ensure the delivery of additional policing resources in Wealdstone and Harrow Town Centre but it is imperative Harrow’s front desk is open to all. Our community deserves accessible and visible policing.”
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.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
