£1M for Notting Hill Carnival, But Not To Keep Police Front Counters Open-Former Officer Questions London Mayor’s Safety Commitment.

Cuts to London’s police front counters have sparked concern over public safety and trust, with critics accusing City Hall of breaking promises and neglecting community needs.

The closure of 14 police front counters across London has reignited criticism of the Mayor of London’s commitment to policing and public safety. Former Metropolitan Police officer Graham Wettone didn’t hold back in voicing his concerns.

“If he can find £1 million to save Notting Hill Carnival, why can’t he find £1 million to save front counters across London?” Graham asked pointedly, highlighting what many see as a clear contradiction in spending priorities.

The closures directly challenge the Mayor’s own pledge to maintain at least one open police station per borough — a promise now in doubt. According to Graham, police stations aren’t just buildings; they are a vital source of reassurance for the public.

“The public want to see police stations open. Having an open police station is a sign of reassurance. What message does it bring to the public to go past a closed police station with no lights on?” he added.

Beyond symbolism, the closure of front counters means greater physical and psychological distance between the police and the communities they serve. Graham emphasised that this disconnection damages trust, particularly at a time when many residents are being urged to report crimes — often being told to go directly to their nearest station.

“What happens if they don’t have one open? I understand that a lot is now being done online, but an open police station is vital to the community. It is a public reassurance for the community.”

The root of the issue, he believes, lies in persistent underfunding. With budget shortfalls looming large, both central and local governments need to reconsider their priorities.

“Funding is a real issue here, and local and central government need to look at their priorities. Policing definitely needs to be one of the top concerns, alongside the NHS. We have one of the lowest police per capita rates in Europe.”

Graham also raised alarm bells about the dwindling experience within the force. With retention now a major challenge, the force is losing experienced officers at a worrying rate.

“The future looks bleak for the Met. So many experienced officers are leaving now, and retention is a real issue. The average length of service for frontline officers is around four years now. Many of the experienced officers who are still there don’t want to be there. The Met urgently needs to address the retention issue.”

As front counters go dark across the capital, many are left wondering — who is really keeping London safe?

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