The Metropolitan Police’s Commander for Frontline Policing, Hayley Sewart, has responded to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE following her letter setting out concerns around the front counter provision in Bexley.

In her letter, the Leader expressed her dismay at Met Police plans to close Bexleyheath Police Station front counter between 11pm and 7am.

In her response to the Leader of the Council, Commander Sewart explains that the proposals are not final but are subject to consultation with Trade Unions and ongoing design work. The letter also says that the plans are based on a detailed assessment of demand, accessibility, geography and operational alignment with teams and custody suites and that decisions are being made as a result of a ‘significant budget gap’.

Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:

I’m grateful that Commander Sewart has taken the time to set out the reasons that Bexleyheath has been chosen as one of the front counters in south-east London affected by these proposals and it is heartening to learn that the plans are not final.

Her letter says that our Bexleyheath Police Station has one of the lowest number of crimes reported per day. While this should reassure our residents that our borough remains one of the safest in London I would argue that our residents still deserve a round the clock police presence in their town centre.

As a local authority we fully recognise the financial challenges facing the Metropolitan Police and the issues they face as we face many of the same challenges. I appreciate that tough decisions must sometimes be made.

We will be watching the outcome of the consultation and design work very closely. Should the decision to alter the hours at Bexleyheath be taken we will also be carefully monitoring the impact on our residents and local businesses."