Police station front counters to be reopened

20/01
19 April 2001

Proposals to reopen police station front counters were welcomed by MPA members at the MPA full authority meeting today.

Speaking this morning, Toby Harris, MPA chair said:

"I'm delighted at the progress that has been made. It is an answer to some of the real needs expressed by local communities."

He supported the continuation of feasibility studies in individual boroughs to consider how the proposals, which include the further use of volunteer staffing, can best be implemented.

He added that the MPA fully supports the appropriate use of volunteers in policing.

Toby Harris said:

"Effective policing requires the active participation of community members. Volunteer staffing can encourage close working relationships between the community and the police."

Note to editors

Current initiatives

Following an audit of all 32 Boroughs, twelve Borough Commanders have stated that they are currently using, or are actively considering, the use of volunteers in front counter roles: these are at Sutton, Kingston, Southwark, Enfield, Hillingdon, Croydon, Westminster, Bromley, Lewisham, Harrow, Bexley and Richmond.

Sutton - it is intended to re-open Worcester Park police station front counter, with staffing provided by a team of 25 volunteers on a rota basis. This will be with effect from 3 September 2001, which will allow for the training and security clearance of the volunteers. The Community Safety Volunteers Project is a partnership between the London Borough of Sutton, Sutton Volunteer Bureau and the MPS. A publicity launch is planned for 11th June 2001, with the assistance of the MPS Directorate of Public Affairs. Sutton is also exploring the use of volunteers in the role of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator in its Crime Reduction Office.

Southwark, a police office at Rotherhithe – 'The Blue Beat Office' – is currently staffed by volunteers and acts as a community reference point. It does not serve as a crime/ accident/ incident reporting site, but staff deal with most other front counter duties. It has been open since 1995, is currently open 11.00am to 4.00pm, three days per week, and is staffed by two volunteers. From July, nine Community Wardens will also operate from the base, with a police officer acting as co-ordinator.

Hillingdon - the police office at Harefield is currently staffed by three volunteers, who provide a front counter service three evenings per week. The service provided includes the taking of messages for local officers, dealing with lost and found property and providing a community contact point. This arrangement has been in place for the last five years. The Borough Commander is examining the possibility of using volunteers to re-open station offices closed at present, Northwood for example.

Kingston - a project team is being set up that will examine the feasibility of re-opening New Malden police station front counter and staffing it with volunteers. Representatives from the local community have been invited to join the project team.

Enfield - the front counter at Winchmore Hill was re-opened on 2 March 2001 on a part-time basis (Fridays and Saturdays), staffed by the Borough Metropolitan Special Constabulary. This event was widely covered by the local media.

Westminster - there are plans to use volunteers in the monitoring of CCTV cameras in central London. A review of staffing levels is in progress.

Harrow - there are provisional plans to re-open Pinner and Edgware front counters on a limited basis if a volunteers scheme can be launched.

Bromley - a police office is being planned for Chislehurst, hopefully to be staffed by volunteers. Similar initiatives are planned for St Mary Cray and Biggin Hill, again subject to a sufficient number of volunteers coming forward.

Lewisham, Brockley - police station may soon be able to offer a front counter service, staffed by volunteers. This would provide a community contact service rather than the usual station office facilities.

Croydon, Richmond and Bexley - the Borough Commanders are actively pursuing ways of recruiting and employing volunteers to staff front counter facilities.

Opening and re-opening of front counters

In addition to the initiatives outlined above, several other Boroughs have plans to open and re-open front counters, as follows:

Haringey - it is intended to re-open the front counter at St Ann's by July 2001. This would be to cover Monday to Saturday, 10.00am to 6.00pm, depending on the availability of staff.

Brent - the front counter service at Carey Way opens on 7 May 2001, (Mondays to Saturdays). There are also plans for police 'shops' or 'safety shops' under two regeneration plans in the Borough. These would be in Kilburn High Road and on the South Kilburn Estate, although both are dependent on external funding.

Lambeth - a feasibility study is underway to open a front counter in the police building at Cobalt Square.

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