Richmond’s last police counter to close – Council leader slams 'deeply concerning decision'

Richmond Council has expressed serious concern over the Metropolitan Police’s decision to permanently close the borough’s last police front counter at Twickenham Police Station, set to close this Saturday. 

The move will leave Richmond as one of only five London boroughs without any in-person police counter, raising accessibility and public safety concerns.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, 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 legal action against the Met Police and Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime over the closure, citing a lack of consultation, insufficient evidence, and concerns about accessibility. Councillor Roberts said the Council was 'forced to act' after assurances that every borough would retain at least one 24/7 front counter were broken. The Council is now calling for the decision to be suspended pending the judicial review.

“Our concern is simple,” Councillor Roberts continued. “Decisions of this scale must take residents’ needs into account. Closing the last front counter before these proceedings are complete undermines public confidence in policing and risks making already vulnerable residents feel cut off from support.”

With the Twickenham counter closing, the borough’s almost 200,000 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 Councillor 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. Richmond Council says this latest step compounds the challenge of keeping residents safe and maintaining confidence in policing.

“We are not resisting change – we support modern, effective policing,” Councillor 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 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.

Where to get help in an emergency:

• Call 999 for emergencies
• For non-emergency reporting call 101 or use the Metropolitan Police online reporting services