Hendon & Finchley
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Don't wave goodbye to police station yet
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| Boys in blue: MP Boris Johnson and Councillor Brian Coleman at Golders Green station |
London's Conservative mayoral candidate Boris Johnson visited Golders Green this week to condemn the planned closure of the police station.
Mr Johnson spoke out against "getting rid of local facilities that are absolutely vital to communities".
"I am very concerned about the proposed closure," he said. "I fear the result would be a less efficient, less localised and less timely service for people in Finch-ley and Golders Green."
The 92-year-old police station in Finchley Road has been earmarked by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) for closure in a report on the future of policing in London.
The Met say the building fails to meet the demands of modern policing, such as being able to accommodate new IT and communications technology.
Under the ten-year assett management plans announ-ced in November, Safer Neighbourhood teams will be moved to Colindale police station, where patrol bases and custody cells will also be centralised.
However, this week the Met stressed services currently available at Golders Green would be retained "in the area". These include a front counter and Safer Neighbourhood teams.
A spokeswoman said: "We are committed to keeping the Safer Neighbourhood teams within the ward or as near as possible to it. The front counter will also remain in the area.
"Golders Green station will not be shut down until the replacements are up and running."
The Conservative MP for Henley joined Conservative Barnet councillor Brian Coleman, cabinet member for community safety, in criticising the raft of
proposed station closures.
He met shopkeepers to discuss the issue and added: "I think it's very important for this neighbourhood that we keep it open.
"Everywhere I go I meet people who are worried about the loss of security. Without it, people don't know where to go in an emergency and you deprive people of that sense of safety so vital to urban life."
Mr Coleman said if the planned closure of the station goes ahead "there will be nothing between Whetstone and Camden".
He said Barnet Borough Commander Stephen Kavanagh had assured him alternative premises would be sought for the station.
But he added: "Frankly we're not quite sure we believe him, because we know the MPA has this agenda to close not just Golders Green but Hamp-stead and Kentish Town, and we're deeply worried."
Barnet police Borough Commander Stephen Kavanagh, commenting following the public consultation, which ended last week, said: "There are no plans to close the station in the short-term. However, in the medium-term an alternative location will be sought.
"When I came to the borough, I promised residents the station would not be closed until alternative accommodation is found and I stand by this promise."
8:37am Thursday 20th March 2008
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