Local Campaigns

Save Hampstead Police Station

This week the Labour-led Metropolitan Police Authority announced that it plans to close Hampstead Police Station, as part of a cost cutting "efficiency" exercise. Police officers patrolling Hampstead will in the future be based at just one central "warehouse" - likely to be a long way from NW3 - rather than at several stations around the borough.

The closure of local facilities is likely to be followed by their rapid sale for purely financial motives. This will leave many local residents angry at what they will rightly see as a reduction in crime fighting facilities in the Hampstead area.

Local Councillor and Parliamentary Candidate Chris Philp said, "This plan will increase response times and means that the police will be much more distant from the community. I will strongly support and actively oppose the plan. It is possible to make older buildings like Hampstead Police Station fit for purpose - it happens all the time across London. I fear that this move will undermine community safety in order to save money.

A four month consultation is now being held on these plans. Local London Assembly Member Brian Coleman said, "This is bad news for everyone in Camden. We don't want the police retreating into a fortified warehouse. Front line buildings are very important to the community and should not be sacrificed.

Comments

The closure of local facilities is likely to be followed by their rapid sale for purely financial motives. This will leave many local residents angry at what they will rightly see as a reduction in crime fighting facilities in the Hampstead area.
Posted by Alex , 14/01/2008 15:37:18

Add a comment