Labour London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi AM has warned of a further round of impending police cuts after the Mayor of London refused to rule out closing police contact points. The contact points were introduced after Boris Johnson closed 3 police stations (Harrow Road, Marylebone and St John’s Wood) in Westminster last year and cut neighbourhood policing teams from six dedicated officers per ward to just two.

When asked recently by Joanne McCartney AM whether the Mayor was planning on cutting the new contact points, Boris Johnson repeatedly refused to answer stating only that “I’m afraid I can’t give you the answer”. The Mayor did however add that “some contact points work better than others” and he was reviewing their use.

The Mayor’s comments follow recent indications from the Deputy Mayor for Policing Stephen Greenhalgh that local neighbourhood policing teams may also face further cuts. When asked at the latest Police and Crime Committee about the cuts to police teams Greenhalgh questioned whether “the absolute commitment of one police constable and one police community support officer for all wards appropriate?” 

Murad Qureshi AM, Labour London wide Assembly Member, said:

“When the Mayor closed 3 London police stations in Westminster last year there was real concern that there were further cuts to come. Boris Johnson’s comments make that look significantly more likely.

“According to the latest figures, since the current Government came to power in 2010 Westminster has lost 737 police officers and PCSOs. Now Boris Johnson looks set to make further cuts to the police contact points people rely on to report crime. The Mayor’s policing cuts are already having a real impact with fewer officers on our streets and fewer police stations to report crimes at. Further cuts and closures would push the police service to breaking point.”

Notes 

• The exchange between Joanne McCartney AM and Boris Johnson at Mayor’s Question Time can be viewed in full here. The key exchange:

JM: “but Mr Mayor I’m holding you to account for your promise to put a better or equivalent service into a closed police station. These contact points, are you planning on cutting some of them? Can I get that straight answer from you?

BJ: “We’re reviewing them; some of them work better than others. I’m afraid I can’t give you the answer.”

• London Datastore figures show that since the current Government came to power in May 2010 Westminster has lost 440 police officers and 297 PCSOs.
• Murad Qureshi AM is a Labour London wide Assembly Member