Borough to get more police as part of new plan (From Sutton Guardian)

More officers coming to Sutton but Wallington police station threatened

5:21pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Mike Pyle

The borough will get more than 40 extra police officers by 2015 under new plans but people will have to fight if they want a station to remain open to the public.

The commander of Sutton's police has welcomed plans to reform London's police force, describing them as "better than expected".

Sutton will get 42 more police officers but faces a cut in civilian staff under plans released by the Mayor's Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) and the Metropolitan Police last week.

The document sets out plans to close the front counter at Wallington Police Station in Crosspoint House, Stafford Road - although police figures show fewer than one crime a day is reported via the desk.

The Met wants to save £500million while improving service, according to the plan, with each borough playing a part.

Sutton Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Guy Ferguson said: "It's better than expected. I'm not a great one for police officers sitting in a building on the off-chance of people coming in - I'd prefer us to be out in people's neighbourhoods."

Ch Supt Ferguson said most of the new officers will go into the safer neighbourhoods teams around the boroughs.

The plan to shut the front desk at Crosspoint House will not remove police from the building. Six of the borough's safer neighbourhoods teams will be based from offices there but it will not be open to the public except by appointment.

Police describe the station as poorly used by the public but Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake says this could be because few people know where it is after it moved from the old police station further along Stafford Road - a sentiment echoed by members of the local Neighbourhood Watch who called for better signs.

Mr Brake added: "I would certainly urge people to take part in the consultation if they want to keep their police station."

The plan is out for consultation until March 6. There is a public meeting at the Secombe Theatre in Cheam Road on Tuesday, February 12, from 6pm to 7pm. To get involved in the consultation visit www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagement.