Richmond Council has begun legal proceedings against the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) after the decision to permanently close the public front counter at Twickenham Police Station.

The Council says the decision leaves Richmond as one of only five London boroughs without any police counter at all.

It argues that it has been left with "no choice" but to act, with Council Leader Gareth Roberts warning that the closure poses a serious risk to accessibility and public confidence.

Councillor Roberts said: "This decision is deeply concerning. It is a risk to accessibility, trust and public safety."

He added that the decision had been taken "without consultation, without a clear evidence base, and without consideration for those residents who rely on in-person contact."

"Despite previous assurances from the Met and MOPAC that every borough would retain at least one 24/7 front counter, this decision has been taken without consultation," he said.

"We have initiated legal proceedings to ensure that decisions of this scale are taken lawfully, transparently, and with proper regard for the communities they affect."

Richmond Council says it has been left with 'no choice' but to proceed with legal action against the Met Police and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (credit: Nub News).

In a pre-action protocol letter sent to the Met and MOPAC on 28 November, Richmond Council outlined several concerns, including:

• Lack of consultation with residents, the Council and local organisations
• No clear evidence showing the closure is justified
• A departure from previous commitments to keep at least one counter open per borough
• Failure to consider how vulnerable residents will access help without a physical counter

Cllr Roberts continued: "Trust in policing is already fragile. Removing the last physical point of contact from an entire borough sends entirely the wrong message to residents who simply want to feel safe and know the police are accessible."

He added that this was the latest in a series of decisions, including the disbanding of the Royal Parks Police, that had "undermined neighbourhood policing" across the borough.

The Council is calling for the closure to be suspended immediately while the legal challenge is underway, and for MOPAC and the Met to reinstate a clear borough-level plan for in-person policing.

A spokesperson for MOPAC said: "We have received a letter before claim from the London Borough of Richmond in relation to the closure of the front counter at Twickenham police station. We will respond in due course."

The Met Police also confirmed it is aware of the legal action. A spokesperson commented: "We will continue to work closely with all partners throughout this process."

In October, the Met announced that 27 front counters would remain open across London, seven more than in the original plan, following strong public feedback.

However, Twickenham's front counter along with those in Kensington, Harrow, Wimbledon and Chingford would close.

At the time, the Met said the revised plans balanced public access with the need to prioritise frontline policing and deliver £7 million in annual savings.

READ MORE: Met Police confirms Twickenham front counter among those to close as two saved.

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