Boris is urged to look again at policing policy

AS Boris Johnson takes up the chairmanship of the Metropolitan Police Authority we wanted to draw his attention to the Estates Strategy which was due for decision but has been much amended and is now 'on hold'.

In the original draft of our borough's estate strategy there was a direct proposal to close Hampstead Station and further options to consider the closure of Kentish Town Station.

These have been strongly opposed by residents and widely criticised in every form in which it has been proposed.

More fundamental however, has been concern over the nature of policing in the local area and within Camden. In analysing the Estates Strategy and considering the most appropriate response it has become clear that the proposed model for policing in London is not one we accept in Camden. The proposal for a centralised police station in Camden - 'warehouse' - is unrealistic, expensive and lacks community consensus.

There is also very real concern that the disposal of assets within the borough (most obviously Hampstead station and Kentish Town station) would release capital that would not be invested within Camden but dissipated across London.

Further, we note with concern the move towards locating Safer Neighbourhood Teams away from current stations, primarily due to the poor counter services.

This is creating a significant new annual expense in leasehold contracts, whilst consideration is given to the disposal of freehold property.

Surely it would make sense to use the current freehold assets better, rather than incurring ongoing leasehold liability.

We ask the Mayor to re-assess the policy of the previous MPA and to consult anew with residents within Camden, specifically in Kentish Town and Hampstead.

Ed Fordham

(Lib Dem) Hampstead & Kilburn

Jo Shaw

Holborn & St Pancras

Cllr Linda Chung

Hampstead Town Ward

Nick Russell

Kentish Town Ward