The Leaders of Enfield and Haringey Councils have written jointly to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley calling for an urgent review of plans to close the front counters at Edmonton and Tottenham Police Stations.
In the letter, Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council, and Cllr Peray Ahmet, Leader of Haringey Council, express serious concerns that the proposed closures would undermine recent progress made through the Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) programme in both boroughs, and other joint initiatives to tackle crime and strengthen community safety.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Home Secretary and Commissioner Rowley,
Proposed Closure of Edmonton and Tottenham Police Station Front Counter
We are writing to you in response to the Metropolitan Police Service’s proposed changes to front counter provision across London.
First, let me thank you for the great work you and your teams have done for Enfield, Haringey and London. The increase in resources for the Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) project, and the other great steps you’ve taken to support boroughs like ours is having a significant impact.
The difference the new Government has made has been felt in Enfield where we’ve seen a 13% reduction in crime thanks in part to these initiatives and the new approach we have all been able to take. There is a lot that has been achieved in this last year of which we can all be proud.
We of course fully understand the financial pressures facing the MPS and the need to prioritise frontline policing, but there are serious concerns about the negative impact that closing the front counter at Edmonton and Tottenham Police Station will have on the great progress we’ve made together.
Front counters are more than just a reporting point, they’re a vital access route for individuals who may be vulnerable, digitally excluded, socially isolated, or in crisis, and as we have seen first-hand, Edmonton and Tottenham Police Station’s front counters are always busy and play a vital role in making policing accessible to everyone.
At the recent Council Leaders meeting on the closure of Police Front Counters, A/C Twist agreed to hold a further joint meeting with the respective Leaders of Enfield Council and Haringey Council, to review the decision to close the current Police Front Counters in Tottenham and Edmonton.
This was due to the impact on the Clear Hold Build (CHB) Programme across the five wards covering Northumberland Park, Upper Edmonton and Edmonton Green. The two Police Stations are within or close to the CHB footprint, and the impact of closing both front counters would have a detrimental effect on the progress made and partnership investment. The proposed closure of Police Station front counters in both boroughs’ risks undermining the investment and momentum we’ve built together in these communities.
A/C Twist informed that revised plans exist, but he was not in a position to share them at the time. This lack of detail makes it difficult for local partners and authorities to make fully informed decisions. A/C Twist agreed to review this decision following a joint meeting with Council leaders.
Beyond the practical implications, there’s also a broader issue of public confidence. In communities where trust in institutions is already stretched, the closure of front counters can easily be seen as a step back. That perception risks undoing the progress we’ve made in building better community and Police relationships.
I’m also concerned about the knock-on effects to other local services like youth justice, probation, and victim support that rely on the Police being physically present and accessible in the borough.
We would also welcome your response and assurances on the following to ensure we protect access for vulnerable residents in Enfield and that no one is left behind:
* A clear commitment to maintaining some level of in-person Police service in every London borough, especially in areas of high need
* A faster rollout of Police Hubs, co-designed with local communities and located where they’re most needed. We’re championing one in Edmonton and would welcome a visit from you and your teams when it launches
* Access to borough-level data on front counter use and digital exclusion, so councils can plan appropriate support
* A transparent consultation process involving councils, community safety partners, youth justice, probation, victim support services, and local residents before final decisions are made
We look forward to meeting with you, along with Political and senior officer representation with Haringey to discuss the proposed closure in detail and seek to find a viable solution that balance financial constraints with the need to serve all Londoners fairly to make sure that everyone in our community feels heard, safe and supported.