Forum Topic

Ealing Police Station to be sold?

Is it correct that Ealing Police station will be sold off? Is this reasonable or necessary? What will come in its place? http://snipelondon.com/scoop/london-police-stations-to-be-sold-off-admits-boris

Viv James ● 5151d8 Comments

Ealing Police Station has been on the market for years but apparently no-one wants to buy it.The question is not will come in its place but where will the new Ealing Police Station be located?

Eric Alan Leach ● 5151d

Re  where will the new Ealing Police Station be located?                xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  I think the answer is Acton

Tony Price ● 5151d

One could equally reply 'Southall'.Acton and Southall Police tappear to be the only fully functional Police Stations in a town with a significantly larger population than that of Iceland and a population more than three times the size of Carlisle's population.Does this not strike folks as being inadequate?

Eric Alan Leach ● 5151d

Police response: “The Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC) estate contains over 800 buildings many of which, including some of our police stations, provide poor working conditions for staff, are inefficient for modern day policing and are being replaced by more modern, efficient and geographically responsive facilities.“The MPS is reviewing the whole of the property estate to ensure we are making best use of it and identifying efficiency savings that can be reinvested into operational policing.“We have approval in principle from MOPAC to relocate from Ealing Police Station during this financial year.“Our priority is to continue to deliver the best policing service for London and in moving the local policing functions to other buildings in the Borough we will ensure that we are able to continue to do this.“Savings generated from these proposed changes will go towards protecting operational capability and help reduce the impact of the challenging financial pressures the MPS currently faces.”

Ealing Police ● 5151d

Re  One could equally reply 'Southall'.              xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  the reason why I said  Acton  was because I thought the decision had already been made. This is not the first time we have read re the possible closure of Ealing station and when mooted before I am sure it was said the transfer would be to Acton. I can remember thinking to myself that instead of a short walk as at present, I would be  faced with a much longer journey. Southall I don't think would be in the running.

Tony Price ● 5150d

surely a reduction in the number police stations would be a good thing? It would certainly reduce the preference for warranted officers to spend the majority of their time filling forms indoors rather than being out on the beat (this is factually correct - according to their own data at any one time around 10% of working Met police officers are actually deployed on our streets).

Chris Martin ● 5150d

These are, I accept, complex issues involved in Police facilities. One strong argument for Police Stations (of whatever size) is that they provide a physical Police presence. Some towns have mobile Police Stations which are located for periods in diferent parts of the town. Police Stations also provide protected locations where people can be interviewed. Are the myriad Police staff on bikes expected to meet and talk to people in cafes or on park benches?It's very encouraging that Ealing Police has replied on this thread.The police asset management plan floated for Ealing some three years ago was for a large warehouse somewhere in Ealing to be armoured and all Police vehicle, weapons, custody cells and vehicles would be housed here. There would be no public access. Hundreds of people objected to this plan in writing and I have ceratinly heard nothing more about it.Remember the original plan for Safer Neighbourhood Policing? This envisioned small Police 'Shops' in each of the 23 Wards in Ealing. This got watered down to very often one of these small Police shops covering two Wards. When these Police shops became operational they never actually 'opened' ie there was no access by the public. I always suspected that the intention was for them to have a desk for public enquires but possibly budget restrictions prevented this.Public access at Ealing Police Station has only recently improved as a civilian (volunteer?) is now handling reception and he actively approaches the queuing pubilc to asceratain their needs.

Eric Alan Leach ● 5150d

"It is very encouraging that the police have posted on this thread." In these times of austerity and cuts to keep in touch with the punters is essential. So top marks for the police. It is very reassuring that the police are reading and responding here in particular. There are other forums but this one is fast and active. To respond is not only brave but shows that the police care what the public think. If we can proceed in partnership like this we havethe hope of progress through sensible decision making. The worse type of decision makers exclude the public at the formative stage see Tram and Arcadia Inquiry. The worse type of decision makers fail to engage and then produce long glossy consultations which fail to engage. Have we any examples of these? So Bravo to the Police.

Arthur Breens ● 5148d