Residents in Twickenham have just two days before they lose their last remaining 24-hour police desk.
Twickenham is one of ten desks to be eliminated this month – more than one quarter of all London police counters.
The Metropolitan Police and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan have u-turned on a promise to supply every borough with a 24/7 police desk – in a bid to close a £260million funding black hole.
A Twickenham business owner, 64, said: “The bike theft here is ridiculous.
Avi Patel, 24, a Twickenham shop manager, said he has regularly experienced both violence and theft in his shop.
He said: “When I call the police, they often say they can’t do anything because the suspects are under 18 years old.”
Richmond Borough residents have been fighting back.
A petition opposing the closure of the police desk now has over one thousand signatures.
Liberal Democrat MPs – including party leader Sir Ed Davey – have written open letters to Khan and chancellor Rachel Reeves in opposition.
A Liberal Democrat Councillor of Twickenham Riverside ward, James Chard, called the Met’s decision “short sighted”.
Wenling Dai, who launched the petition, wrote on Change.org: “The public counter is critical for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those without internet access, or individuals with communication barriers who rely on in-person support.”
Fears are mounting for vulnerable residents who will now be forced to travel to Hounslow Police Station for immediate in-person assistance – up to one hour away on public transport.
Richmond upon Thames is statistically the second-safest London borough, according to Crimerate.co.uk data.
However, in the past month, two masked and hooded men smashed the window of a Richmond jeweller and stole goods in plain sight at approximately 10:30am on Saturday 31 January.
The council has launched legal proceedings against the Met to oppose the closure in December, citing a lack of consultation with the borough’s residents.
Twickenham resident, Pam, 55, said the decision has been controversial in the area, adding: “We’re used to thinking, if there’s an emergency, you can run to the station.
“Especially as a woman, it’s a reassurance to know I can go to the station.”
Jin, 47, who lived in London for 20 years and still frequents Twickenham, said: “I feel safe walking by the river, but that’s because I have a big dog.”
According to a Metropolitan Police crime map, almost two thirds of all crimes reported in January 2026 took place just meters away from Twickenham’s police station.
At least 25% of the crimes reported were violent or sexual offences.
However, this is also the busiest part of Twickenham, and the Met has confirmed that the hotspots are approximate, and not all crimes are shown.
In defence of the decision, Met spokesperson Matt Twist KPM claimed last August only 5% of crimes in London are now reported at police desks.
London’s busiest police counter at Charing Cross reportedly receives less than one reported crime in person per hour.
But, as Twickenham resident and dancer Dylan Jones, 24, said: “It was reassuring to know I could just walk into Twickenham station to report a crime.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “The closures form part of a number of tough choices the Met is having to make in order to operate within a shrinking budget while tackling neighbourhood crime and ensuring communities see a more visible police presence.”
Featured image credit: Richmond Council
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