Front counters at Dagenham Police Station, in Rainham Road South, and Barking Learning Centre, in Barking Town Square, are proposed for closure at the end of this year, according to a list published on Wednesday (August 6) by Scotland Yard.
The list reveals that 18 out of the 37 front desks currently in operation are earmarked for closure as part of attempts to save £260 million across the Metropolitan Police Service.
This leaves several boroughs, including Barking and Dagenham, without any front counters – breaking a previous Met pledge to have one accessible 24 hours a day in each London borough.
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Dagenham Police Station’s front desk is currently open 24/7, while the counter in Barking Learning Centre is one of five with reduced hours.
Other desks across east London proposed for closure include those in Chingford and Bethnal Green.
Havering’s only front counter in Romford will remain open under the current proposals.
The Met has emphasised that this is not the final list of closures, as these proposals are subject to “design work and engagement”, with the final list expected to be available later this year.
Some counters will also have their operating hours reduced under the plans.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Just 5 per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with only 1 per cent of these being made during the night.
“At the busiest front counter in London on average 15 crimes are reported a day – less than one an hour – and in the least busy, only 2.5 crimes are reported a day.
“Londoners tell us they want to see more officers on our streets.
“The decision to reduce and close some front counters will save £7 million and 3,752 hours of police officer time per month allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.”
The Met added that alternative ways of contacting the police will be put in place where front desks close or opening hours are reduced, such as video appointments and weatherproof phones to contact 101 or 999 services.
