Boris Johnson refuses to rule out further policing cuts in Haringey

Labour London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney has warned of a further round of impending police cuts after the Mayor of London refused to rule out closing police contact points. The contact points were introduced after Boris Johnson closed Muswell Hill police station in Haringey and reduced opening hours in Hornsey and Wood Green last year and cut neighbourhood policing teams from six dedicated officers per ward to just two.

When asked recently by Joanne McCartney AM whether the Mayor was planning on cutting the new contact points, Boris Johnson repeatedly refused to answer stating only that “I’m afraid I can’t give you the answer”. The Mayor did however add that “some contact points work better than others” and he was reviewing their use.

The Mayor’s comments follow recent indications from the Deputy Mayor for Policing Stephen Greenhalgh that local neighbourhood policing teams may also face further cuts. When asked at the latest Police and Crime Committee about the cuts to police teams Greenhalgh questioned whether “the absolute commitment of one police constable and one police community support officer for all wards appropriate?”

AM, Labour London Assembly Member for Joanne McCartney, said:

“When the Mayor closed Muswell Hill police station in Haringey last year there was real concern that there were further cuts to come. Boris Johnson’s comments make that look significantly more likely.

“According to the latest figures, since the current Government came to power in 2010 Haringey has lost 191 police officers and PCSOs. Now Boris Johnson looks set to make further cuts to the police contact points people rely on to report crime. The Mayor’s policing cuts are already having a real impact with less officers on our streets and fewer police stations to report crimes at. Further cuts and closures would push the police service to breaking point.”