Cop shop saved

TWO of the borough's police stations have been handed a stay of execution after plans to close them were shelved.

Willesden Green Police Station in Willesden High Road, and Harlesden Police Station in Craven Park, Harlesden, have both been temporarily saved after the Metropolitan Police put modernisation plans in the borough on hold.

Brent Police had wanted to close both stations and bring in smaller Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) bases but the Times understands the collapse of property prices means that money previously budgeted for is not available.

Residents are now calling on police to bring the Willesden Green SNT back into the centre of the ward from their current home of Walm Lane.

Karen Welton, Sandringham Road, said: "The team should come back to the station where they can serve the area properly and where people can find them.

"They are never about half the time here and are not there when you need them, but that is due to them being out of the ward.

"I have never been up to their office in Walm Lane since they moved, it is much too far and as someone registered blind it is too hard to get there.

"I think the people who make the decisions should listen to the community, who are saying loudly that as long as the Willesden Green station is open, we want our SNT there."

The Times revealed last year how the team had been moved without any proper community consultation and police ignored calls for them to return.

It would appear that resident's pleas have again fallen on deaf ears after police refused to budge or even give a valid reason as to why the team could not come back.

A Brent Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the closures of the police Stations are on hold. Willesden Green SNT have moved to their new base in Walm Lane and will not be returning to Willesden Green Police Station.

When pushed as to why the team could not return we were told: "They are now in their new base and they are staying there.