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Where does Boris stand on police stations?
• IN line with his election pledge to try to tackle crime, Boris Johnson next month assumes the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
But what, I wonder, is his view on the Met’s persistent, even devious, plans to close and relocate local police stations?
Since he was elected I have written to him three times about this. But I have not even had an acknowledgement note, let alone a reply.
I am especially concerned about the future of the Holmes Road police station.
But this is a question of great importance throughout London.
There should be more local police stations, not fewer; they should be more accessible, not less – both for public reassurance and as a
visible deterrent against disorder.
As with the closure of sub-post offices, the technique of those in authority is to make vague promises of consultation, and to prolong the exercise in the hope that opponents will get bored.
The mayor is one of the few people in a position to press for an end to this misguided policy. The main purpose seems to be to give the police themselves a more comfortable time, and to detach them even further from the general public.
What is the mayor’s stand on all this?
Why can’t he tell us?
PAUL BARKER
Dartmouth Park Avenue, NW5
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