top of page
Search

Press Release: Havering Council Calls For Reversing Of Romford Police Desk Closure

  • Writer: David Taylor
    David Taylor
  • 4 days ago
  • 2 min read

PRESS RELEASE


Havering Council Calls For Reversing Of Romford Police Desk Closure


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


20/11/2025

Havering councillors united across parties in a vote calling on the Mayor of London and the Met Police to reverse their decision to close Romford's 24/7 police counter. 


The Met Police announced that Romford's police counter would no longer be a 24hr service, in a shock announcement in October. This is despite the consultation proposing that it remain a 24hr service. 


Following the annoucement of the closure, Councillor David Taylor launched an urgent community campaign and petition to the Mayor and Met Police. The petition secured close to 1,000 signatures in just over a fortnight and was submitted to City Hall by Cllr Emma Best AM on November 13th.

 

Councillor David Taylor, on behalf of Havering Conservatives led a motion at Havering Council on 19th November, uniting the council in calling for the decision to be reversed. 


The motion was passed with overwhelming support from across all parties, with Labour Councillor Jane Keane notably voting with the Conservatives in favour of keeping the counter open. 


Contributions from across the chamber included first hand accounts of staffing a police desk overnight, calls for people to look past statistics and to consider individuals, and anger that Havering again appears to have been overlooked. 


In his speech, Councillor Taylor drew attention to the role police desks play for those unable to call 999 or needing a safe place at night when feeling threatened or followed. Responding to claims that the move was about resources and making police available, Taylor highlighted how front line police time is wasted by outdated technology, with pens and manual forms used instead of technology. "If we want to talk about police putting their resources in the right place, instead of closing our police desks, how about we get them to start investing in 2025 technology?", Taylor said. 


Speaking after the motion Councillor Taylor said; 

"It is clear that Havering's political parties are united on this issue, with councillors from across all political parties joining the call for the decision to be reversed. 


Councillors were not consulted about the closure, despite reports of 'engagement with politicians', it is unacceptable that such an impactful decision can be taken without speaking to those elected to represent the residents. 


The debate and vote showed the best of Havering's councillors, we put party politics aside to put residents first. As it should be. 


I hope that the Mayor of London and Met Police will rethink their decision". 


END

___________________

Notes To Editor: 


Contact:

Councillor David Taylor

07878 132 549

Comments

bottom of page