New Malden police station

New Malden police station is under threat, again - despite recent reassurances.

It's especially frustrating after the good news we've had about local police numbers going up.

So the community-wide campaign to save New Malden police station must start afresh. Since the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, was good enough to come to New Malden to re-open it before, I've written to ask for his help and support.

Already, Councillor Derek Osbourne, Leader of Kingston Council, has pledged the council's support. Just as our community won through when Kingston's Magistrates' Courts were threatened with the axe, we must work hard together to stop this nonsense.

After all the hard work and dedication of local people volunteering to keep New Malden's front counter open, closure now would be a slap in the face.

What's especially barmy is our police need more room. As the new community beat officer teams increase in number, they will soon outgrow Kingston and Surbiton stations: the room at New Malden is required.

The crux of the matter appears to be some report claiming the station needs over half a million spent on it. It's obvious the report was written to provide the cover for closure and a sell-off.

We will of course be mounting a major petition - so anyone who's interested in collecting signatures, please write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.