Labour Leader of Merton Council Vows to Find Solution to Met Plans to Close Front Desks in Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations
Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Labour-run Merton Council, has vowed to find a solution to the Metropolitan Police’s plans to close front desk services at both Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations.
In December, we received the very welcome news from the Mayor of London that our years of campaigning alongside the community to keep both Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations open had been successful, and that they had been saved from closure.
This is vitally important for keeping Merton as one of the safest boroughs in London as it ensures the police will continue to operate from the stations, providing a visible presence based in our communities, without officers being forced to spend more time travelling to their assigned areas. This means that Merton is still one of a small number of boroughs that has retained two stations in the whole of London.
However, the Leader has again expressed his deep disappointment that the Metropolitan Police are pushing ahead with their plans to close front desks at our two stations – removing an important, in-person service that many in our borough still rely on.
In light of this, the Leader has vowed to find a solution for front desks in Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations and will continue discussions with the Metropolitan Police to come to a suitable agreement.
Cllr Garrod said:
“Following years of campaigning from Merton Labour and the community, the Mayor of London has confirmed that both Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations have been saved from closure. This means boots on the ground, in the community and officers not having to waste time travelling long distances for their assignments. Keeping Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations open is vital to keeping Merton one of the safest boroughs in London.
“But I know many in Merton are concerned about the Met’s plans to close our front desks – and I am too. I vow to everyone in Merton that this Labour administration will keep campaigning to keep our front desks and I will work with the Met to find a solution that works for our community.”
Merton Labour has campaigned for years on protecting Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations, and since the announcement last summer has campaigned to protect the front desks within those stations. This has included petitions, visiting Scotland Yard, passing motions at Council, and lobbying directly through letters to and meetings with the Met and the Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime.
If you want to add your voice to Labour’s campaign to save the front desks at Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations, sign our petition via the link below:
Labour passed a motion at Merton Full Council demonstrating our opposition to front desk closures and our commitment to campaigning to save them. Read more here.
The Mayor of London confirmed that both Mitcham and Wimbledon Police Stations had been saved from closure, following years of campaigning by Labour and the local community. Read more here.
The Leader of the Council reiterated clearly Labour’s opposition to the Met’s plans to close front desks at Wimbledon and Mitcham Police Stations at a recent meeting of Full Council. Watch here.
