A CONSULTATION on the proposed sale of Norwood Green Police Station has been branded a "whitewash" by Ealing's mayor.
Mayor Rajinder Mann, who is ward councillor for Norwood Green, said the exercise was pointless and Southall was still badly in need of facilities for police.
The station was boarded up in late 2008 following a consultation and although it has been empty since then it remains part of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) estate.
Safer Neighbourhood Teams based at the site were relocated to a purpose-built facility at The Arches in Merrick Road, Southall, and a new consultation is under way to decide the best means of disposing of the building.
Mr Mann said: "This consultation is a whitewash. The people in charge have already decided what to do with the site. I think any plans to sell the building are disgusting. Southall is already over-populated and crime is on the increase.
"The glut of new houses that will be built means there will be an extra 3,000 people in the area. The main police station in Uxbridge Road cannot cope with all this."
A statement from the MPS said: "Norwood Green Police Station is not fit for purpose for modern policing. It will cost a significant amount of money to make any improvements. Any finances raised from the sale of the station would be available for the improvement of other police buildings in Ealing Borough.
"The Arches is the ward base for two Safer Neighbourhood Teams, who are working to deliver community policing. Officers continue to patrol on their ward areas, working to make Ealing a safer place to live, work and visit."
Questionnaires on the issue have already been circulated to the community and must be returned by Monday (July 5)
If you would like to make views known on the proposed sale you can also email norwoodgreen.snt@met.police.uk.
