Wandsworth Council's legal bid to prevent the closure of the last remaining police front desk in the borough has been unsuccessful. The High Court dismissed the council's application for a judicial review against the Metropolitan Police's decision to shut the front counter service at Putney police station, clearing the way for its planned closure.
The council initiated the legal challenge, arguing that the closure would have a significant negative impact on residents, particularly those who are vulnerable or less digitally literate, by removing a vital point of contact with local policing. It highlighted concerns that the move would reduce accessibility to police services for the community.
The Metropolitan Police announced in 2023 its intention to close 12 front counters across London, including the one in Putney, as part of a wider strategy to modernise services and reallocate resources. The force stated that the majority of public contact now occurs online or via telephone, and that maintaining underused front desks was not an efficient use of public funds.
Despite the council's arguments, the High Court ruled that the Met Police's decision-making process was lawful and that there were no grounds for a judicial review. This judgment means that the closure of the Putney front counter will proceed as planned, leaving Wandsworth without a dedicated police front desk service for the first time in many years.
The outcome has sparked disappointment among local residents and politicians who had campaigned against the closure. They contend that while digital services are important, a physical presence remains crucial for community reassurance and for dealing with sensitive issues that require face-to-face interaction. The closure is part of a broader trend across the UK where police forces are reducing their physical footprint in favour of more centralised or digital services.