Merton Lib Dems and Paul Kohler MP have expressed deep concern at the Metropolitan Police’s decision to close nearly half of London’s public-facing police front counters dropping from 37 to just 19, with only 8 staying open 24/7. 

Under the plan, Wimbledon and Mitcham front counters will be entirely closed. This means residents will lose the ability to report crimes face-to-face or seek help at their local police stations. The nearest 24/7 access points for affected residents will now be in Acton, Sutton, or Lambeth.

The Met cites financial pressures, a £260m shortfall for officers next year and £1.7bn in unmet estate investment needs, as the reason for its "rationalisation" strategy. However, it admits this move breaks its own public commitment to maintain at least one public 24 hr counter per borough.

The announcement lands amid a strong local push by Merton Liberal Democrats, with Wimbledon's MP Paul Kohler, to restore proper community policing. Their campaign emphasises the need for officers to be present & visible, and available when residents need them the most. With previous policing cuts undermining the vital link between police & public across Merton, this announcement is another blow. This comes after Paul Kohler and Lib Dems' almost decade long campaign to save local police stations from closure.