Streatham's police station should not be closed unless a replacement is confirmed, ready to open and has the same level of services.

Streatham's current police station provides public access to police services right in the heart of Streatham's town centre. It is also the base for our local Safer Neighbourhood police teams. We do want to lose either of these functions.

However, due to the LibDem/Conservative government cuts, the police feel that they may have no other option but to sell the police station, and replace it with a slimmed down version elsewhere. That's on top of the recent reduction in front counter opening hours. And let's not forget police numbers have also fallen sharply in the borough since 2010. 

Streatham Labour Party activists have worked with the local MP, Chuka Umunna, to devise five key tests for considering the police's plans.

Without public pressure, we cannot be confident that these five tests will be met. Already there has been one attempt to advertise the sale of the police station on an estate agent's website. And the Borough Commander and the Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime continue to be publicly silent about an alternate site or a timescale for such a move.

Gipsy Hill residents have already proved that, with enough noise and effort, the police top brass and the Mayor's advisors will take note of local concerns. So please sign our petition to the Borough Commander and the Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime calling for them to keep their word and ensure Streatham's police and police services remain based here in Streatham.