We know how much our residents care about safety and tackling crime. And as Deputy Leader with responsibility for Civic Pride, which includes policing and community safety, it is my job to fight for our residents to have the protection and justice that they deserve. Currently, we are the third safest borough in London and I want to keep it that way.

Residents will remember that there had previously been plans to close Wimbledon Police Station. Your local Labour party was completely opposed to this. Thankfully, following a delay in the decision, the Mayor of London’s subsequent investment in additional police officers meant that Wimbledon Police Station needed to remain in operation to accommodate these new officers.

However, this doesn’t mean it is safe forever, as we know that the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) are still reviewing the Met’s property assets, in its long-awaited “Estates Strategy”.

That’s why in one of his first actions as the new Leader of Merton Council, Cllr Ross Garrod wrote to Deputy Mayor for Policing Sophie Linden about the future of both of Merton’s police stations, Wimbledon and Mitcham. We believe that these are needed to keep our borough as one of the safest in the whole of London.

Deputy Mayor Sophie Linden agreed to meet with myself and Cllr Garrod to discuss our concerns. We reiterated our commitment to maintaining both stations in Merton, and outlined the impact that any closure would have. While she was unable to reveal the conclusions of the Estates Strategy or confirm its timing, the Deputy Mayor listened to our concerns and promised that we would be updated as soon as possible.

We will continue to fight for the services that our residents need.

Cllr Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader