Legal action over police front counter closure

The Met plans to axe the volunteer-led front desk at Pinner Police Station

A north London borough that is due to see its last police station front desk close plans to launch legal proceedings against the mayor of London and Met Police.

Harrow Council leader Paul Osborn called the decision to axe the volunteer-led front desk at Pinner Police Station "short-sighted", but the Met Police said that front counters were "not doing a massive amount" to keep Londoners safe.

In October, the Met said 27 police front counters would remain open across London, down from 37, in a move expected to save the force about £7m. Two will be 24-hour.

Sir Sadiq Khan previously pledged to keep at least one 24-hour counter open in each London borough, but has since supported the Met's plans.

In September it was announced that Harrow Police Station's front counter would close. The further closure at Pinner Police Station would leave Harrow residents travelling outside of the borough to access direct support.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the decision was based on public consultation and data about how crime was reported.

He told the London Assembly that even if more money was given to the force by the chancellor, he would spend the cash on fighting knife crime and neighbourhood policing before front counters.

"The data is clear," he said. "They're not doing a massive amount to keep Londoners safe compared to extra police officers patrolling neighbourhoods."

Sir Sadiq said in support: "When the facts change, I change my mind."

'Unacceptable'

Osborn said the local authority would be issuing a pre-action letter to begin legal proceedings" against what he described as "short-sighted cuts".

The Conservative councillor 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, and a place where those in need are supported."

A spokesperson for the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) confirmed they had received a letter before claim - a former legal letter - from Harrow Council in relation to the closure of the front counters at Harrow and Pinner police stations.

They said the MOPAC would respond in due course.

A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed the force had also received the letter.

"We will continue to work closely with all partners throughout this process," the spokesperson said.

Both Conservative and Labour groups in Harrow have also created petitions calling for the Met to reverse its decision to close both front desks, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.