A string of police station front counters across west London are to close , the Mayor of London has announced.

Sadiq Khan said he had been left with no choice but to shut more than half of the capital’s 73 remaining police front counters because of government cuts on police funding.

Among the stations facing imminent closure are Notting Hill, Ealing, Southall, Fulham, Uxbridge, Chiswick, Kilburn and Belgravia.

Making his announcement on Wednesday (November 1), Mr Khan said a further four stations, including Pinner and Ruislip, are still under consideration.

West London stations which will remain open include Wembley, Acton, Hammersmith (once it reopens following renovation ), Hayes, Hounslow, and Kensington.

Paddington Green station will close but be replaced by a station in Church Street.

Under the new plans, an additional front counter near Grenfell Tower would be set up from early 2018 and remain open for at least two years, to respond to local concerns.

Nine communities will now be left more than an hour away from their nearest police station. They include Stanmore in Harrow, and Harefield, Ickenham/West Ruislip and Northwood in Hillingdon.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick say they are committed to keeping Londoners safe

They will be provided with additional community sessions so that their residents can meet officers face to face more often.

Mr Khan says the move was the only way to guarantee front line policing, and that 70% of crime is now reported over the phone.

More emphasis will be given to reporting crime online, while new technology will allow police officers to spend more time on the beat in their communities.

The decision follows a public consultation after the proposals were put forward earlier in the year, and sees at least one 24/7 front counter in each London borough.

Mr Khan said he had to make an additional £8 million in savings, which left him with very difficult decisions.

He said: “Keeping Londoners safe is my number-one priority, and supporting officers out on the beat in our communities is more important than keeping open buildings that are simply not used by the vast majority of the public, and where just 8% of crimes are reported.

Notting hill police station

“I am confident that these final plans maintain the best possible service for Londoners, and will provide the access to the police that they need – especially in an emergency.

“The combination of one 24/7 front counter in every borough, more dedicated local officers in better contact with the communities they serve, and a significantly improved online service will mean that Londoners are able to contact the police in the way that suits them best.”

Cressida Dick, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said she shared the Mayor’s commitment to keep Londoners safe, adding: “I am confident that these changes will not impact on our ability to deliver this.

"We know that the ways in which the public want to contact us have changed, so we absolutely must continue to transform, focusing on serving the public as best we can.

“Of course we know there will be some people who need to speak to a police officer face to face, and there are still many ways in which they can do that.”

In total, 37 stations will close across the city.

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