Following a campaign led by local Conservatives, I welcome the news that the police front counter at Hayes Police Station will remain open.
Hayes was one of thirteen police front counters facing complete closure under initial proposals set out in July. This would have left Hillingdon residents without any walk-in police service, forcing them to travel to the nearest alternatives in Acton or Hounslow for assistance.
Although it will operate with reduced hours - and is therefore still in breach of the Mayor's manifesto commitment to maintain a 24/7 police front desk in every borough - I welcome that residents in Hillingdon will still have an accessible police front counter service.
I know there has been a sense of frustration amongst residents, who feel they have been left out of important decisions concerning valued local services. This decision is a reflection of the strength of feeling and the importance of keeping policing accessible. I am grateful to those who led the campaign, and I hope this will also prompt the Mayor to rethink plans for Uxbridge Police Station, which remains closed despite his promises to reopen it.
