Labour politician refuses to answer questions about future of Walworth police front counter

The deputy Mayor of London for Crime and Policing has responded to a letter from the Liberal Democrats by refusing to answer key questions about the future of Walworth’s police front counter.  

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Southwark, had written to Sadiq Khan to demand clarity around whether the front counter would remain open 24/7, or have reduced operating hours.  

This comes in the wake of Sir Sadiq's move to close 18 front counters across London, in a breach of his manifesto promise. In response to a question from Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Gareth Roberts, Sadiq Khan admitted that he knew about the closures as early as last November 2024. 

Following a campaign from the Liberal Democrats, it was announced that Walworth’s front counter would not close – but questions still remain about its operating hours. 

The Liberal Democrats say that the reply from the deputy Mayor which doesn’t answer those questions shows that Labour are not prepared to defend their record on crime and policing, with swingeing cuts seeing front counters axed, and specialist anti-social behaviour officers scrapped. 

The Met has also come under fire in recent days after a Panorama Documentary revealed that racism and misogyny still runs rampant in the police force – with the Southwark Liberal Democrats responding by hauling in the Borough Commander to face a grilling by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Commenting, Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: 

“The fact that Labour can’t answer basic questions about their plans for our only police front counter in Southwark shows that they cannot defend their record on crime and policing.  

With the Canada Water police hub being closed, questions about Walworth’s front counter going unanswered, and scandals continuing to plague the Met, it’s no wonder that people have lost all confidence in Labour’s ability to fix the Met.  

Only the Liberal Democrats are taking crime and anti-social behaviour seriously, and by electing more Liberal Democrat councillors in May we can fight for cleaner and safer streets here in Southwark.”