WANSTEAD: Campaign to save police station from closure steps up as MP joins the fight (From This Is Local London)

Campaign to save Wanstead police station in Spratt Hall Road, steps up as MP John Cryer joins the fight

3:50pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Where I Live By Melanie Attlesey

THE campaign to save Wanstead police station from closure steps up a gear as MP for Leyton & Wanstead joins the fight.

Campaigners from Wanstead united under the banner Wanstead and Snaresbrook Residents Alliance save the Spratt Hall Road station from closure.

They are organising a petition with the intent of gathering 1,500 signitures to force a debate at council.

And now MP John Cryer has criticised the plans to close the station.

He said: "The threat to shut Wanstead police station would rob Wanstead people of their police presence without giving anything back."

The criticism comes as Mayor of London Boris Johnson is reviewing plans to shut police stations across the capital and sell them off as part of a cost-cutting programme.

He added: "I have been contacted by many local people who are very worried by this. This is the third time Wanstead has come under the axe since I have been the MP – and I was only elected two years ago.

"The Safer Neighbourhood Teams are based in the station and burglary is a serious issue local.

"If the station closes, police presence in Wanstead will inevitably diminish. This is hardly likely to cut crime and will certainly increase the fear of crime."

The station was last closed in 2001, but was reopened after a fierce backlash from the local community.

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