Overview

• The Metropolitan Police Service faces a £260 million budget gap that has driven draft proposals to cut front counters across all London boroughs.
• Under the plan, the number of 24/7 counters would fall from 32 to eight, with 11 stations shifting to reduced hours and 13 losing front counters entirely.
• No decisions have been made on specific closures and boroughs under threat are to be determined through an ongoing public consultation.
• The Met reports that just 5% of crimes were logged at station counters last year as most victims use phone or online channels to report offences.
• Critics including Susan Hall and Enfield politicians have condemned the secrecy and urged maintaining key counters to ensure accessible policing.