The London Assembly is calling for more information about the Mayor’s decision to keep Uxbridge Police Station open.
In November 2017, the Mayor announced he would close the police station as part of a plan to save £8 million. Earlier this week, the Mayor wrote to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stating that the station should now remain open.
The London Assembly has today called on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to the Mayor asking for clarification around this process and what it means for the Metropolitan Police’s Estate Strategy.
Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“Preserving local policing is vital for the whole of London, not just for the individual communities they work tirelessly to serve. Sadiq Khan has previously promised to ‘protect frontline policing’ yet he has been unclear about what he means by that.
“He must clarify his plans for the future of Uxbridge Police Station, release the long awaited Met Police Estate strategy and update Londoners on the status of their local police stations."
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that in November 2017 the Mayor of London announced he would close Uxbridge Police Station as part of a plan to save £8million and ‘protect frontline policing’.
This Assembly further notes that on the 3rd July 2023, the Mayor u-turned on his decision and wrote to the Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, stating the station should now remain open.
This Assembly seeks urgent clarification around this process and what it means for the Metropolitan Police’s Estate Strategy and other police stations going forward. The Assembly calls on the Chair to write to the Mayor to ask that:
- The long delayed Metropolitan Police’s Estates Strategy is now published for the Assembly and public to view and that he accounts for why such a significant delay has occurred.
- The Mayor clarifies the process by which the reversal of his planned closure of Uxbridge Police Station occurred and when an official Mayoral Decision can be expected.
- The Mayor clarifies why it took over five years to reach this conclusion and why it is only Uxbridge that is receiving an update on the status of their Police Station and not other residents across London.
- The Mayor clarifies what this means for other stations ear-marked for closure and when residents will receive further information on this.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.