"We need local Police Stations in Tower Hamlets" say Libdems

10.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Jan 2008

Hmmm where's my station?

Liberal Democrats today expressed concern over proposals by the Metropolitan Police to close Limehouse and Bow Police Stations. Councillor Azizur Rahman Khan stated "We are concerned that replacement sites for police facilities have not been found although the Police have already decided to close the stations."

The Metropolitan Police have stated "We do envisage a review of the future of Limehouse and Bow police stations with the re-provision of all the facilities currently housed within these in more specialised and more appropriate facilities. Both of these police stations were designed to meet policing requirements for the eras in which they were built, Bow in 1903 and Limehouse in 1940. The interiors of these police stations are not conducive to modern policing requirements."

Councillor (and criminologist) Stephanie Eaton commented "Although the Met have told us that no police buildings in the borough will be closed until alternative facilities are up and running, local residents will be worried about losing a resource that has been in service for over 100 years in the case of Bow Police station. We must ensure that any changes of buildings and service does not reduce the public's confidence in their local police".

Local Liberal Democrat Campaigner, Stephen Clarke said: "Bow Police station is the logical place for our two Safer Neighbourhood Teams to operate from. Closing Bow station will mean that it is likely residents will see even less of their safer neighbourhood officers. Residents already feel that there are not enough bobbies on the beat in Bow!"

Consultation on the proposed changes to the Police Estate closes on February 17. Councillor Khan has tabled a question to Tower Hamlets Full Council meeting on February 11 asking about the plans for new Police stations in the Borough.