The distance residents in west London will have to travel to their nearest police station could quadruple if proposed cuts go ahead, a new survey has suggested.

Conservatives in the Greater London Authority (GLA) say the proposals being considered by Sadiq Khan to axe stations across the capital, including stations in Notting Hill and Belgravia, is “very concerning”.

Research carried out by Tony Devenish, London Assembly member for West Central, which covers Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster boroughs, found some journey times will quadruple under the proposals.

Pimlico residents would face a 40-minute walk to their nearest police station compared with the ten minutes it currently takes.

Plans to close Fulham police station were made in 2015, to allow the new Fulham Boys School to move in, leaving only a front counter behind.

But that counter is now one of those earmarked for closure.

According to the Tories, residents of Fulham would see their journeys double from 25 to 50 minutes, while those living in Kensal Green would face almost an hour’s walk compared with the current 35 minutes.

Furthermore, the walk between retained police stations in Kensington and Westminster will nearly double to 1.15 hours, having previously been split by the station in Belgravia.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick

Mr Devenish fears the increased journey times could pose a problem for vulnerable residents and those with mobility issues.

He said: “I am very concerned about the practical impact of these closures on people’s ability to report crimes in person, particularly those who are vulnerable or less mobile.

“Not only do police stations allow easier reporting of crime, they have a strong impact on the public’s sense of safety and can be a deterrent to crime more generally.

“Sadiq Khan claims to be consulting on these plans, but with meeting invites issued at just a few days’ notice it is clear he is simply paying lip service to residents who have genuine concerns.

“These closures will have a major impact on the people of west London. My residents deserve better from the Mayor and MOPAC.”

Location Minutes walk to nearest station Minutes walk to nearest station after proposed closure
Pimlico 10 40
Fulham 25 50
Kensal Green 35 55

Between Kensington and Westminster Police stations

40-50 75

Mr Khan has said he has no choice but to take drastic action in a bid to protect frontline policing, blaming the government’s failure to properly fund London’s police service.

The move to reduce front counters could also see stations closed in Ealing, Southall, Uxbridge and Chiswick.

A map put together by the Conservative GLA team

Earlier in October Westminster Labour councillors called on the Belgravia station to be saved.

Cllr Jason Williams said: “The front counter service at Belgravia is a vital community resource which has already been cut back from a 24/7 service.

“Closing the service in Belgravia and relying on Charing Cross Police Station will mean the already busy services there will be put under greater pressure and mean there is less time to deal with queries from the public.”

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