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Police Stations
10 July 2023
Lead MP
Theresa Villiers
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Benefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Theresa Villiers raised concerns about police stations in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP raised concerns about the closure of Barnet police station in London, which was announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in November 2017. The decision to close the front counter services at Barnet police station has been justified based on a decline in crimes reported face-to-face, but Mrs Villiers argued that reporting crimes can still be done through other means like phone or online. She highlighted the importance of physical police presence in local communities beyond just front counter services, including evidence storage and facilities for officers. Despite the closure announcement, the building remains operational for other police functions. The MP emphasised the value of having a visible police station that reassures residents and allows quicker responses to crimes.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
The MP congratulated Theresa Villiers for securing this debate and agreed with her on the importance of police stations in local communities. He called for Mayor Sadiq Khan to reconsider his 2017 closure plan, noting that the Metropolitan Police has the highest funding per capita in the country, amounting to £3.3 billion a year.
Government Response
The Minister responded by thanking Theresa Villiers for her debate on police stations and congratulating Shaun Bailey for saving his local Tipton police station from planned cuts. He highlighted that the Metropolitan Police have record numbers of officers, but Mayor Sadiq Khan failed to utilise all available funds, resulting in fewer than expected officers. The Minister also mentioned an initiative in Croydon South where neighbourhood officers patrol from a fire station, though he noted this is not as ideal as having a dedicated police station. He concluded by urging the Mayor to use his funding more wisely and reverse his closure plans.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.