Cllr Aslam Choudry and Navin Shah deliver hundreds of signatures to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

A petition signed by more than 300 Brent residents opposing proposed cuts to the fire service has been handed in to the chiefs in charge of the plans.

Cllr Aslam Choudry, Brent Council’s lead member for crime prevention and public safety was joined by Navin Shah, London Assembly member for Brent and Harrow, to personally deliver the signatures to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA).

Labour politicians Mr Shah, who is also vice chair (LFEPA), and Cllr Choudry, have campaigned vehemently against to close 12 fire stations, decommission 18 fire engines and axe 520 fire-fighter posts.

No stations in Brent are facing the axe but critics believe the closures in neighbouring boroughs could have a knock on effect on Brent.

Cllr Choudry said: “The Mayor’s proposals to impose such extreme cuts on the London fire service will put the safety of Brent residents at risk.

“Through this petition the people of Brent are telling Boris and Chairman of the Fire Authority with one clear voice that they do not want to see the safety and security of their communities compromised, and I wholeheartedly support this petition.”

The public consultation about the cuts has now ended and LFEPA is due to meet next month to consider the outcome of the consultation.

Mr Shah said: “I have attended 12 meeting across London and have not met a single resident or organisation who supports the planned closures of fire stations being imposed by the Mayor of London.

“At the Mayor’s Question Time I’ve conveyed to the Mayor the message from Londoners that residents don’t want to see their fire stations closed and I asked him to scrap his reckless closure plan.”

Ron Dobson, London Fire Commissioner, said they would continue to keep Londoners safe following the consultation.

He added: “Preventing fires before they happen is our priority and our commitment to community safety work will continue, including our successful home fire safety scheme, which sees around 70,000 free smoke alarms fitted each year.”