Richmond Council is asking residents to voice their views on the Mayor of London’s plan to halve the number of police station front counters across London.

Sadiq Khan launched a public consultation on plans to reduce police front counters in London to put an additional £10 million – equivalent to the cost of 170 police constables – into frontline policing.

This could result in the closure of the Teddington and Richmond front counters, which have seen reduced demand, with only the 24-hour desk in Twickenham retained.

Mr Kahn said: “The reality is this - if the Government proceeds with its cuts we will have to close half the police stations in London, which could lead to each borough having only one 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, police station open to the public.”

He had previously criticised Boris Johnson when he closed police desks in 2013 – suggesting Londoners could end up reporting crime at hypothetical police ‘contact points’ in McDonald’s.

Richmond Police held a consultation event on September 18 which was attended by councillors, the police, and more than 50 residents.

Cllr Mark Boyle, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:

“It was clear from the public meeting that most people want assurances that any changes to local policing will result in a more visible police presence around the borough.

“Although the public would be disappointed to see police buildings closing, they are in agreement that money saved as a result should be invested in more frontline policing and improvements in reporting services.

“I appreciate this is an issue which has attracted a lot of public attention and encourage residents, whether they attended the consultation or not, to have their say in the consultation before the deadline.”

The council closes on Friday (October 6).

To have your say on the consultation, go to: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/mopac-consultations/share-your-views-accessing-met