Thirteen police bases and counters across the borough of Bromley have been closed due to budget cuts in recent weeks. Leaving Bromley South Station as the only physical location in which a resident can report a crime. This comes as a result of a new tri-borough merger between Bromley, Croydon and Sutton aimed to save money by reducing the number of those working in senior management (meaning a reduction in salaries). The merger is expected to take its full effect later this year and all of Bromley, Sutton and Croydon will be under the command of one Borough Commander.

There will be a lack of physical police stations, but instead there will be seven proposed “hubs” around Bromley borough in which officers will be able to use as a base and to store equipment, yet at no extra cost to the Met Police. In addition to this, it is also proposed that police officers will receive smart phones and tablets, so they can be more mobile. Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Safety has expressed her concerns for the merger and how it will affect Bromley’s residents. She states that the council is “seriously concerned that Bromley may be left without adequate Police resources as a direct result of this merger.  We understand the need for efficiency savings and whereas the merging of command units might theoretically work in central London, where the size of areas are smaller and more manageable, this logic does not apply in Bromley’s situation.” Bromley Council plans to write the Mayor of London to express their concerns regarding the merger in addition to their continued opposition of the merger.