Policing consultation held in Harrow (From Harrow Times)

Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime holds consultation in Harrow

1:24pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Emma Innes

More than 100 people attended a public consultation on the future of Harrow’s policing last night.

The meeting, which took place at the Civic Centre, in Station Road, was hosted by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh.

It was chaired by Councillor Thaya Idaikkader, leader of Harrow Borough Council.

The panel was made up of senior Metropolitan Police figures including Harrow’s Borough Commander, Dal Babu.

The aim of the consultation was to give people the chance to ask questions about the proposals in the Mayor of London’s draft Crime and Policing Plan.

The plan proposes the closure of Pinner Police Station, in Bridge Street, and of the police counter at the Civic Centre, in Station Road.

It also puts forward the suggestion that the size of Safer Neighbourhood Teams is reduced.

After the meeting Harrow’s Labour London Assembly Member, Navin Shah, said: “The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime’s policing plan is like Alice in Wonderland stuff; fictional and fictitious.

“I’m totally opposed to this make believe plan and so are the residents of Harrow who gave thumbs down to the draft proposals.

“The proposed policing model presents no more than a make believe scenario and MOPAC’s figures do not add up.”

He added: “I’m firmly against the closure of police stations as I see police stations as community hubs providing vital access to local police.

“Closure of Pinner Police Station and facilities at the Civic Centre are totally ill-conceived.”

Similar meetings are taking place in each of London’s boroughs.