Mayor of London given ultimatum on Wimbledon Police Station

Merton Lib Dem Councillor Paul Kohler has given the Mayor of London 14 days to agree to reconsult on the closure of Wimbledon Police Station before launching further legal action in his bid to preserve a police presence in Wimbledon.

The ultimatum was issued following a response from the Mayor's office indicating they were not intending to re-consult prior to making a fresh decision on whether to close Wimbledon Police Station.

The Mayor's original decision to close Wimbledon Police station was quashed by the High Court this summer following legal action brought by Cllr Kohler.  

Councillor Paul Kohler commented:

"It is critical that the Mayor re-consults before making a new decision on the future of Wimbledon Police Station. So much has changed since the original consultation ended over a year ago."

"There are now severe doubts over whether Mitcham Police Station is large enough to accommodate police officers and vehicles from Wimbledon Police Station, and there are concerns about the valuations and costings which the Deputy Mayor relied on in making the original decision. Furthermore, increased police funding is openly being discussed in Government, so now is an inappropriate time to make irreversible decisions such as closing police stations. " 

"New proposals to maintain a police presence in Wimbledon have been formulated from many sources, including the Labour Party, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, and Merton Chamber of Commerce. It would show utter contempt for the residents and businesses of Wimbledon if the Mayor refused to listen to the new ideas that have now emerged."