London’s new deputy mayor for policing and crime has been criticised for appearing not to know how many police stations might have to be axed across the capital.
Kaya Comer-Schwartz came under scrutiny over neighbourhood policing at City Hall as the Metropolitan Police prepares to cut 1,700 officers and staff.
In a desperate attempt to balance a £260 million budget shortfall, reduced opening hours at front counters could leave only a few stations accessible 24 hours a day.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley’s police estate strategy will reflect decisions he plans around workforce, operational buildings, reform of the force and local teams.
Sir Mark believes half of all police stations in London will have to close in the next decade without more money.
In 2010, the Met had 620 buildings across the capital. Last year, the Standard reported just 36 police stations remain.
Lib Dem assembly member Gareth Roberts, who also serves as leader of Richmond-upon-Thames Council, said it was “frankly extraordinary” Ms Comer-Schwartz had been kept in the dark about a report due to be published in July following over three years of delays.
He asked her at the London Assembly’s police and crime committee on Wednesday: “Just a point of clarification on something you just said in relation to the estate strategy.
“We are all passionately keen to see the estate strategy, have you not seen it yet?”
Ms Comer-Schwartz replied: “No, I’ve been told I will receive a draft of it in the coming months.”
Mr Roberts hit back: “Well it’s due to be published by the end of July? And you are deputy mayor for policing and crime, effectively the deputy crime commissioner for the London area, and you are yet to see the estate strategy yourself?”
Ms Comer-Schwartz insisted: “I continue to push almost weekly for it because I want to see it, I want to make sure we are having conversations about the spending.”
Closures mean the average distance for a London resident to their nearest police station is now more than two miles leading to criticism that it is allowing crime to flourish.
Councillor Roberts told the Standard: “It is frankly extraordinary that the deputy mayor for policing and crime has yet to be allowed to see the Met’s estate strategy due to be published in a matter of weeks by the end of July.
“This is a strategy that will have far-reaching implications for the future of policing across London, shaping the very presence of policing in our communities.
“Oversight is not optional - it’s a democratic necessity.
“At a time when public trust in policing is under intense scrutiny, the idea that such a critical strategy is being developed behind closed doors and withheld from scrutiny suggests a complete disregard for transparency from the Met and we need to see the Mayor himself step in and demand answers.”
The Met has been forced into “substantial tough choices” despite funding increases from central and local government.
Amid an epidemic of violent crime, mobile phone snatches and shoplifting across London, senior officers warn the “rapidly shrinking Met” must slash services.
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan announced a record £1.16 billion City Hall investment in the “chronically underfunded” force, claiming this will save 935 neighbourhood police roles.
He also vowed no cuts will be made to emergency response teams “which the public rely on at times of crisis”.
Senior officers disbanded units protecting eight Royal Parks, despite fierce opposition from councils and victims, axed 371 safer schools officers, along with cuts to forensics, mounted police and the Flying Squad.
Ms Comer-Schwartz was approached for comment.
