The front counter at Forest Gate Police Station, in Romford Road, will not close permanently despite cuts to other desks in London, according to a list published by Scotland yard on Wednesday (August 6).
Forest Gate is one of 20 desks to avoid closure under the proposals, which will see 18 others across London axed later this year.
The desk is currently shut after a fire at the police station in March 2024, however the list confirms that Stratford will remain as the temporary counter until Forest Gate reopens.
READ MORE: Five stabbings in one week in east London leaves one dead
Other east London desks are set to be axed in an attempt to save £260 million across the Metropolitan Police Service.
This includes counters in Dagenham, Barking Learning Centre, Bethnal Green, and Chingford.
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.
