The Met police has confirmed that Twickenham's police front counter is set to close, as part of a major cost-saving plan to address a £260 million funding shortfall.

Under the revised proposals, 27 front counters will remain open across London, seven more than originally planned, following strong public feedback.

However, the Twickenham front counter has been listed among those facing closure, alongside Kensington, Harrow, Wimbledon and Chingford.

Two stations, Charing Cross and Lewisham, will continue operating 24 hours a day, while 25 others will open weekdays from 10am to 10pm and weekends from 9am to 7pm.

Controversially, Charing Cross Police Station was subject to a recent BBC Panorama investigation which revealed evidence of racism and misogyny amongst officers.

The Met said the decision strikes a balance between maintaining public access and focusing limited resources on frontline policing, while still delivering £7 million in annual savings.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: "The Met is having to shrink to live within its means. Londoners tell us they want more visible and responsive policing on the capital's streets, and that is exactly what we are going to deliver.

"We've listened carefully during our engagement process and, while our funding gap means we must reduce provision, we will keep more front counters open across London."

The changes come as 95% of crime reports are now made online, by phone, or directly to officers, reducing the need for physical front counters, the Met Police says.

The Met explains the move will free up more than 2,900 hours of officer time each month for frontline policing.

Phones will be installed outside closed stations so residents can still contact police, and Londoners will continue to be able to book in-person or video appointments, as well as use 999, 101, and online reporting services.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "The news that more police front counters will remain open – with extended opening hours – is welcome.

"This action would not have been possible without record-breaking funding from City Hall. We'll continue to support the Met in boosting neighbourhood policing and making local officers more accessible."

However, local Liberal Democrat Assembly Member and Richmond Council Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts, who sits on the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, told BBC: "When you start losing bricks and mortar – the ability for people to walk in and speak to an officer – that's going to have a big impact on public confidence.

"This looks like police are retrenching, moving away from local communities. If it's front counters today, will it be police stations tomorrow?"

The Met says the restructuring is one of 15 "tough choices" it must make to live within its budget, with resources being redirected towards tackling neighbourhood crime, robbery and shoplifting.

The new model will also see 4,800 officers and 700 staff redeployed into priority roles by March 2026, alongside investments in community "Met Engage" sessions in libraries, food banks and local hubs to maintain public contact.

Twickenham residents will be among those affected by the upcoming closures, though the Met insists the changes will "modernise" the way Londoners access police services while ensuring more officers are visible on the streets.

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