On Thursday morning (14 September), Rt Hon David Evennett MP, Bexley Council Leader Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, together with Cllr Brad Smith, met Sophie Linden, London Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, to discuss policing in Bexley.
In particular, the discussion focused on the Public Access Consultation and the proposals within it to close and sell the Bexleyheath Police Station. Mr Evennett and Cllr O’Neill vigorously argued the case for the retention of the Bexleyheath Police Station and the importance for the Borough and its residents to maintain the strong Police presence in Bexleyheath.
Mr Evennett commented: “Bexleyheath Police Station is conveniently located in the centre of the Borough, therefore offering community reassurance and swift response times. It is also easily accessible for residents across Bexley wanting to attend the Station, with good public transport links and much parking available nearby”.
“We were pleased to have had the opportunity to meet Ms Linden today and to explain in-depth the many downfalls of this proposal as well as the public disquiet locally. I very much hope that after the consultation closes and with further research undertaken the proposal will be scrapped”.
Cllr O’Neill commented: ““We thought it was important to put our residents case to the Deputy Mayor as Bexley residents still pay their precept for the Police although we accept we get lower numbers than others and our local Officers are often abstracted. It’s therefore even more important that they have access to a Police Station in the centre of the Borough and an alternative of technology isn’t acceptable to many. We called on the Deputy Mayor to come up with more innovative spending plans to ensure our borough continues to have a front counter where it’s needed.”