Closure of Hampstead and West Hampstead police station front counters announced

The closure of Hampstead and West Hampstead police station front counters will leave a gaping hole in police presence in north Camden, according to residents.

The Mayor of London’s office announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the two police station front counters were among 65 across London earmarked for closure as the Metropolitan Police seeks to slim down its estate and cut costs.

Albany Street Police Station in Regent’s Park is also set to lose its front counter.

Under the plans Kentish Town police station in Holmes Road will keep its front counter, but the hours to the public will be cut to 40 a week.

Peter Burian, vice chairman of the Hampstead police panel, said: “We need the police flag flying outside in Hampstead. We can’t just rely on the web and the 101 telephone number – they’re just not good enough.”

Met chiefs plan on replacing the old police station front counters with contact points in the area, including Hampstead Community Centre, Keats Community Library and a coffee shop in Highgate.

In Haringey, Muswell Hill police station’s front counter is destined to close, but Hornsey police station will remain open and in Barnet, Golders Green police station has not been proposed for closure.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, and senior police officers will hold a consultation evening at the Camden Centre in Bidborough Street, King’s Cross, at 8pm on January 22 to discuss the closures in Camden.