Only two 24-hour stations will remain open in London as a result of the recent controversial cuts
A fresh political row has broken out over the closure of to police station front counters in Merton, with residents facing long trips to the next nearest.
Merton residents will soon be left without any public-facing police counters, raising concerns about access to police support, especially at night. With the closure of Wimbledon and Mitcham front counters, people across the borough will no longer have a local place to report crimes, seek help in a crisis, or access face-to-face support – though the Met argues very few people actually report crime in this way.
Under the Metropolitan Police’s new front counter model, only two 24-hour stations will remain open in London, located at Charing Cross and Lewisham. For parts of Merton, such as Mitcham, this could mean a journey of more than 45 minutes for people who wish to see someone face to face.
The closures have sparked a political backlash, with Merton’s Liberal Democrats accusing the Labour-run council of failing to prevent the loss of the borough’s last police counters. They argue that Labour has let residents down and should be held accountable for not protecting access to in-person policing.
Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler said Labour can no longer shift the blame, as they now run the national government, City Hall, and the local council. “This failure is theirs,” he claimed, “and residents can see that clearly”.
The Lib Dems also criticised the Mayor of London for breaking his pledge to keep one 24-hour counter in every borough. They pointed to a £260million shortfall in Met Police funding, which they say has left vital services at risk.
Labour meanwhile say it was the Met’s decision which was “deeply regrettable”.
Liberal Democrat councillor Victoria Wilson called the closures “a devastating blow for women’s safety and community trust”. She warned that every resident needs somewhere local and accessible when they are most vulnerable.
Campaigners warn that the loss of in-person counters will disproportionately affect vulnerable residents. These include older people, those without internet access, and victims of domestic abuse who may not be able to safely call for help or travel far.
National charity Refuge has raised concerns about the impact on survivors who rely on discreet, in-person routes to access safety. Without local stations, advocates fear more people may fall through the cracks.
Responding to the criticism, Merton Labour councillors say they share those concerns and have made their opposition to the closures clear. Councillor Edith Macauley MBE, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the decision by the Metropolitan Police is “deeply regrettable”.
She added that the council has raised the issue with the local policing commander and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. Labour councillors recently brought a motion to full council expressing regret and reaffirming the importance of local access.
While that motion passed, opposition amendments from the Lib Dems and Conservatives calling for stronger action were not accepted. Labour says it remains committed to campaigning to keep both Wimbledon and Mitcham stations open.
In the meantime, the council says it is investing in alternative safety measures. These include a permanent Safer Streets Team and a £2million upgrade to CCTV across the borough.
The Safer Streets Team, introduced this year, patrols neighbourhoods throughout the week, including in the evenings and at weekends. In its first month, the team logged over 300 hours of patrols, intervened in drug-related incidents, and assisted residents and businesses.
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