The Met Police confirmed on October 15 the front desk at Romford police station is one of 25 that will reduce its operating hours.
It will open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 7pm on weekends.
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed that, despite the changes, its plan still delivers the same savings of £7million as the Met continues to prioritise its resources on frontline policing to close a £260 million funding gap.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “The Met is having to shrink to live within its means and as the public would expect, we are targeting our resources on a narrower set of their priorities to make London safer.
“Londoners tell us they want more visible and responsive policing on the capital’s streets and that is exactly what we are going to deliver.
“But we have also listened to their views during an extensive engagement process and, while our funding gap means we must reduce provision, we will keep more front counters open across London.”
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Other front desks facing the same operating changes include Forest Gate, Bethnal Green, Ilford and Dagenham.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The changes to front counter provision reflect the rapidly changing nature of crime reporting with 95 per cent of reports made by the public online, over the phone, or directly with officers.
“The decisions on front counters have been made carefully based on public and operational demand, geography and feedback through a public engagement process in every area of London.”
