Richmond’s last police counter to close amid legal fight

The Metropolitan Police will permanently close Richmond’s last police front counter at Twickenham Police Station this Saturday. The move leaves Richmond as one of five London boroughs without an in-person police desk, a decision the local council has labeled ‘unsafe’. Council Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts said: “This is a deeply concerning decision.

“Residents are losing the very last place they can go to speak to a police officer face-to-face in this borough. For many, especially vulnerable people and those without easy online access, this is not just inconvenient – it is unsafe.”

In December, Richmond Council launched a judicial review against the Met and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime citing ‘a lack of consultation, insufficient evidence, and concerns about accessibility’. Cllr Roberts argues that closing the counter before the legal process is finished ‘undermines public confidence’. The planned closure is part of a wider restructuring programme which includes the closure of counters in Kensington, Harrow, and Wimbledon, as the Met aims to redistribute officers to ‘where they can be most effective in tackling serious violence and neighbourhood crime’.

Their overall strategy is framed as a ‘tough choice’ necessary to prioritise resources on frontline policing and close a £260 million funding gap. With the Twickenham counter closing residents will need to access police services at alternative stations, including Kingston, Hounslow, Acton, Sutton, and Hammersmith. Online reporting and telephone contact remain available, but the council stresses these options cannot fully replace local, in-person support.

“Front counters are about more than just numbers or footfall,” said Cllr Roberts. “They are about trust, reassurance, and accessibility. Richmond residents deserve a visible, accessible police presence in their community.”

The closure follows a series of Met Police decisions that have reduced local policing visibility in the borough, including the disbandment of the Royal Parks Police last year. “We are not resisting change – we support modern, effective policing,” Cllr Roberts added. “But change must be lawful, transparent, and considerate of the people it affects. Removing the last front counter without proper consultation fails on every count."

The council says it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates on the judicial review process. Residents are urged to use online services or call 101 for non-emergencies, and to call 999 in an emergency.