Lib Dems launch petition to save Southwark’s last police front counter
Southwark Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to save Walworth Police Station’s front counter, warning that its closure would leave the borough without any place where residents can speak to the police in person.
Walworth is now the only police front counter left in Southwark. But under new plans from the Met, half of all police counters across London are set to close, with just eight staying open 24/7. This follows the closure of the police hub in Canada Water, which has already reduced access to local policing in the north and east of the borough.
With crime already 31% higher than the national average, and phone snatching reaching an all time record high, Liberal Democrats are saying that this is a backwards step.
This also comes after the Mirror reports that Southwark is the 10th most dangerous area in the country.
Many residents are increasingly worried about their safety, and trust in the Labour Mayor’s record on crime continues to fall. The party says closing the last place people can walk into and speak to an officer will only make things worse.
They have also criticised Labour politicians, who currently run the council, London City Hall, and the national government, for failing to protect vital local policing services.
Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“Residents are rightly worried. We have already lost one local police base, and now the last front counter in the borough is under threat. This is happening while crime is rising and trust in the police is falling. Taking away the only public-facing police service left in Southwark is completely the wrong move.
We need proper, long-term investment and a return to real community policing. You can’t rebuild trust by closing front counters. Labour need to take responsibility and stand up for our communities.
With our campaign to save Walworth Police Station’s front counter, and our pledge to double community safety officers, it’s clear only the Liberal Democrats have a plan to keep our streets safe.”