Yesterday in Business Questions, Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford, exposed the shocking reality facing Havering residents that the Metropolitan Police, under the Mayor of London’s leadership, is cutting Romford police station’s opening hours to just four hours a day. This comes after the closure of all other local stations, leaving our community with virtually no face-to-face policing.
Andrew demanded a debate in Parliament on this detrimental policy and called out Sadiq Khan for failing Havering.
While Labour talks about safety, their record in London tells a different story!
May I also wish you a happy Lancashire day, Mr Speaker? I thank you for ensuring that the historical county flags are flown from New Palace Yard. It is great to see the Lancashire flag flying today.
If I may go on to an Essex question, the Leader of the House should be aware that the Metropolitan police are reducing the opening hours of 25 police stations across Greater London. Romford police station’s opening times will be cut to four hours. That comes on top of the closure of all other functioning police stations throughout Havering, leaving my constituents with limited access to local police stations, and limited opportunity to meet a constable face to face to seek advice or report a crime. That is unacceptable. Once again, Havering is getting an unfair allocation of police resources, thanks to the Mayor of London, who seems to have no interest in our borough. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate in the House on the detrimental policy of closing police station front desks across the London region?
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford
Many constituents will look at what the hon. Gentleman has said and recognise the concerns. I know that face-to-face contact with police officers is very valuable. However, over time, the usefulness of big, and often old, police stations has become questionable, particularly given the use of new technology. It is about balance. As for making decisions about police stations and front counters, that is a matter for the commissioner. I also gently refer to the historical underfunding of the police across our country in general in the last 14 years.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Campbell M.P., Leader of the House of Commons
