Responding to the publication of Boris Johnson’s Police and Crime Plan, Cllr Abdul Hai, Labour’s Cabinet Member for community safety, said:

“The Tory Mayor of London’s four-year policing plan has confirmed nearly half of the city’s police station front counters will close.  

“However, following our local campaign against police station closures the Met will be keeping Kentish Town open as a 24 hour front counter station and West Hampstead for based patrol.

“We have argued for Kentish Town over Holborn and saved West Hampstead police station so I am pleased that our campaign had some impact.”

Despite the positive news on police stations, Camden Labour remains concerned about Tory cuts to the police in London. Since 2010 London has lost 2,208 police officers and 1,778 PCSOs.

Cllr Hai added “Camden residents want police on the streets providing protection from crime. That’s why the council is funding 16 extra police officers in Camden Town with the Met at a time of widespread government cuts to the police service.”

A public meeting has been called to discuss plans to sell-off Camden’s police stations and leave the borough with just one fully-functioning police station – in Holborn.

Labour’s community safety lead, Cllr Abdul Hai, is pressing for changes to the closure plans

Camden Labour are challenging the Tory proposals, which would mean that local residents would have to travel for miles to even be able to report a crime.

Councillor Abdul Hai, Labour’s community safety lead, said “The consultation with the community that has taken place so far has been shambolic. It beggars belief that the Tories are reducing police numbers but also want to sell off Albany Street, Hampstead and West Hampstead police stations and leave us with just one fully-functioning station in the far south of the borough.

“I fear that this decision is motivated by a desire to maximise short-term financial return by flogging off essential community facilities.  We will be left with no counter service in the north of the borough.  A police station, open and serving the community, reassures the community and reduces fear of crime.”

Labour councillors have actively opposed the sell-off plans and a public meeting will now be held with the police borough commander in West Hampstead library on 7^th March from 6.30pm -8.00pm.

“We will ensure that Camden is heard on this issue and that our residents are given a real say on how they are policed,” added Cllr Hai.

“First, it is vital that we retain a counter service in the north of the borough to help people living there. Second,we will press for Kentish Town police station to remain open 24 hours a day as we need a fully functioning police station closer to the centre of Camden.”

As well as the public meeting at West Hampstead library, Cllr Hai will also be chairing a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who is coming to Camden on 20^th March at 6.30pm at Haverstock School (doors open at 6pm for refreshments).  This will be an opportunity for Camden residents to listen to his vision for London and put questions on policing matters.

A by-election will be held in Gospel Oak ward following the decision of Cllr Sean Birch to stand down from Camden council for personal reasons.

Local campaigners are fighting Tory plans to close down Belsize fire station

The poll will take place on Thursday 14 March and allow local residents to have their say on Tory plans to close down nearby Belsize fire station and recent Tory cuts to police numbers in Gospel Oak.

Leader of Camden Council, Cllr Sarah Hayward said, “The Tory led government are failing communities like Gospel Oak. Cuts are forcing families out of the area, the economy is failing and costs like food and heating bills continue to rise.

“Moreover the Tories are being reckless with our safety. The Tory Mayor is closing Belsize fire station, Camden Police have lost over 130 officers since 2010 and will be left with just one fully functioning police station – in Holborn.

“Gospel Oak deserves better. Again and again, on every issue from the police and fire services to the NHS and the economy the Tories just don’t care about communities like Gospel Oak. We need a strong Labour voice to oppose the Tories and fight for everyone in Camden and Gospel Oak.”

Labour will democratically select its candidate this weekend at a meeting of local members in Gospel Oak.

First, the Tory Home Secretary, Theresa May imposed a 20% cut on police grants. Now she is embarking on a further onslaught on the fabric of policing in this country.

Last week, the police authorities in West Midlands and Surrey, two of the largest forces in the country, announced radical privatisation plans. Private companies are to take responsibility for investigating crimes, detaining suspects, and responding to incidents. The police are public servants accountable to the public whom they serve. They police by our consent. They are there to uphold the law and ensure that justice is done for all. They are not there to maximise the profits for their City masters.

Last year it was primary health services in Camden. Now it is the welfare-to-work firm A4e. These private firms reap rich profits when times are good; they disappear with their swag when times turn difficult. The problem is that this Tory government has dug so deep into police budgets that police authorities can no longer balance their books through short term savings. Some authorities feel that they have no option but to embark upon this structural change which could destroy the fabric of policing in this country as we know it.

Councillor Abdul Hai, Labour Cabinet Member for Community Safety said, “Camden under the current Labour administration recently invested in 16 police officers dedicated to the wider Camden Town area from April 2012. This action to put more police on the streets is in direct contact to the actions of the Tory Mayor Boris Johnson who is cutting police in Camden and London which has led to  Camden Town’s Safer Neighborhood Team being reduced from 8 PCSOs to 3.

“We are told that Boris Johnson sees himself as the next Leader of the Conservative Party. Today he is content on cutting front line policing. In his enthusiasm to appeal to the Tory right, will he now turn to privatise policing in London?”