SOUTHALL POLICE STATION CLOSURE

That this House notes the announcement from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime of the Metropolitan Police Service Public Access and Engagement Strategy; recognises the cuts forced on the Metropolitan Police Service by the Government requiring another £400 million cut in funding on top of the £600 million savings already made; is concerned by the cuts to 24/7 front counter services; further notes that, while reporting rates at counters are falling, they are still very important services for elderly Londoners and those for whom English is a second language; notes that the Metropolitan Police's own equality impact assessment accepts that this move disproportionally affects members of the BAME community; and urges the Metropolitan Police and Government to rethink policies that will cost London front desks in more deprived areas such as Ealing, Southall.