The Metropolitan Police have officially announced the closure dates for public front counters at Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations, confirming that both facilities will cease public access later this month. This decision forms part of a broader strategy to address significant financial pressures within the force.
End of Public Access Confirmed
In a letter published on January 30, the Met Police confirmed that neither Wimbledon nor Mitcham police stations will retain their public-facing front counters. From Saturday, February 28, residents requiring in-person police services will need to travel to alternative locations outside the London Borough of Merton. The nearest 24-hour front counters will be situated at Charing Cross and Lewisham police stations, representing a considerable journey for many local residents.
Financial Pressures Behind the Decision
The Metropolitan Police have cited substantial financial challenges as the primary driver behind these closures. According to official statements, the front counter closures represent one of fifteen difficult choices required to close a £260 million funding gap. Police authorities have described this situation as resulting from what they term "a decade of underfunding" that has necessitated significant operational changes across London's policing infrastructure.
Wimbledon and Mitcham are among ten London police station front counters scheduled to close on February 28. While nearby Sutton police station will maintain its public counter, it will operate according to a revised timetable beginning March 3, potentially limiting accessibility for some residents.
Political Responses and Legal Challenges
The announcement has sparked considerable political debate and concern among local representatives. During a recent full council meeting, Wimbledon MP and Wimbledon Town and Dundonald ward councillor Paul Kohler directly challenged Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod to follow the example set by Liberal Democrat-run Richmond Council, which has initiated legal proceedings to protect its last remaining public-facing police station.
Councillor Garrod responded by stating: "We were pleased to receive the news that both Mitcham and Wimbledon will remain open as operational stations, and that the buildings themselves have been saved from closure. With both stations remaining operational, police officers will save valuable time that would otherwise be spent travelling to their beats across different wards within this borough, helping them meet their 20-minute response time targets."
He continued: "Our position has consistently supported keeping front counters open to the public, and we fundamentally disagree with the Metropolitan Police's decision to close them. We will maintain ongoing dialogue with police authorities to explore potential measures that might mitigate the impacts of these closures and identify any local solutions that could be implemented."
Criticism from Political Opponents
Paul Kohler expressed his disappointment with the current situation, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "In 2018, I successfully used legal action to prevent Mayor Sadiq Khan from closing Wimbledon Police Station entirely. Now, my Liberal Democrat colleagues on Richmond Council are employing similar legal strategies to protect their last public-facing police station. It's deeply disappointing that Merton's Labour Council won't take equivalent action to safeguard front counter access for residents in our borough."
The Liberal Democrats have additionally criticised recent claims by Merton Labour that Mitcham and Wimbledon police stations had been 'saved.' Opposition councillors argue this represents political spin, suggesting that portraying the lack of immediate plans to sell the buildings as a success distracts from the significant reduction in public accessibility that these front counter closures represent.
When approached for additional comment regarding these criticisms, Merton Labour representatives did not provide an immediate response. The closures continue to generate concern among residents about reduced access to face-to-face policing services and the potential implications for community safety and police visibility in the affected areas.
