Nearly half of police stations in Newham earmarked for closure

Nearly half of Newham’s five police stations have been earmarked for closure as part of plans to slash �500million from the Metropolitan Police budget over the next three years.

Stratford and North Woolwich police stations have been proposed for closure in a document published today by the London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the body overseeing the Met’s �3.6bn budget and annual targets.

Under the proposals Forest Gate and Plaistow police stations will be kept, alongside a station in East Ham despite the current police building in East Ham being disposed off.

The front counters at Forest Gate and Plaistow are currently open 24 hours while East Ham is currently only open 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

Across the capital sixty-five of the least used police front counters are being proposed for closure while New Scotland Yard will be sold.

Under a new policing model, specialist crime squads will be axed and 4,600 officers moved into new neighbourhood teams led by a ‘Sheriff’- style borough commander accountable for meeting targets and cutting crime in their area.

Nearly half of Newham’s five police stations have been earmarked for closure as part of plans to slash �500million from the Metropolitan Police budget over the next three years.

If you represent a community group in Newham concerned about these closures please contact else.kvist@newhamrecorder,co.uk for our news coverage.