Tenants across London have been saved from eviction after the London mayor’s deputy for policing stepped in.

Residents breathed a sigh of relief today as Stephen Greenhalgh signed documents which will keep people in homes owned by the Met Police but managed by Crown Simmons housing association.

In years past police were housed by the Met but this no longer happens so the force is selling off its buildings but its housing arm was wrongly told all the tenants in blocks across the capital were on short-term leases despite many having lived there for over 50 years, so they were given eviction notices.

Avonmore ward councillors in Hammersmith and 2015 Conservative parliamentary candidate, Charlie Dewhirst, found out about the eviction notices and approached Mr Greenhalgh who immediately stepped in and today knocked on people’s doors at the Broadmead block of flats in Auriol Road, Hammersmith to tell them they will not have to move.

As former Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader Mr Greenhalgh personally handed confirmation letters to the 22 tenants one, who did not want to be named, said: “This is amazing, thank you so much. I can’t believe this has happened, this is so good we can continue living here.”

The deputy mayor said: “I was very shocked to hear that people who’ve lived here for many years were going to be evicted so I’ve intervened and signed a decision today. This is all because of the Avonmore ward councillors Joe Carlebach and Caroline ffiske and Charlie Dewhirst coming to me, so thank you to them.

“I’m here to apologise for the stress it’s caused the tenants. We thought these were short-hold tenants but in fact we’ve found key workers who’ve been here for many years and as soon as I realised I stepped in. The Metropolitan Police is not a landlord, but it’s right that we find new owners for sites like this that can give tenants the security they deserve.”

Mr Dewhirst added: “It will come as a great relief to the residents of Broadmead that they no longer face eviction from their homes. I am hugely thankful to Stephen Greenhalgh for his swift and decisive intervention.”