Police Front Counters in NEWHAM

On behalf of Superintendent Lucky Singh

Good Afternoon,

You may have seen reports in the media today about some of our front office counters closing. This has been part of a series of tough choices the Met is undertaking to address a £260m funding shortfall. However, we are keen to ensure that any changes impact communities as little as possible. While we are a shrinking service, we are determined to use our resources to best tackle the issues that matter most to you, putting more officers visibly in the community.

Having spoken to local politicians and community members, many have said they would prefer to have more front counters that are open during the day, rather than fewer counters offering around the clock service. 

For now, our front counters remain open as usual, and we will update you when the changes are due to take place.

When it is time for the changes take place, we would like to reassure you that there will still be a front counter available to you at STRATFORD POLICE STATION, 18 WEST HAM LANE, E15 4SG. STRATFORD POLICE STATION will remain open until FOREST GATE POLICE STATION, 350-360 ROMFORD ROAD, E7 8BS, reopens in 2026 (date to be confirmed). 

If you would like to report a crime at a police station, you will still be able to do so. The front counter at STRATFORD will continue to operate as a 24-hour service for the time being. Once the changes come into effect, it will be open from 10am to 10pm, Monday-Friday, and 9am to 7pm at weekends. Fewer than 1 in 2,000 crimes since 2012 have been reported at a police station outside of these hours. We will provide a further update when these changes come into effect. 

In addition to this, you can continue to report crimes online or by dialling 101 if it is not an emergency. If it is an emergency, always call 999 and ask for the police.  All these services remain available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and are how 90% of crimes are reported. 

Tackling crime in your local area remains one of our key priorities, and we are increasing the number of Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers within our neighbourhood teams. You can find out who is in your local neighbourhood team both on the Met website and on www.metengage.co.uk. Our officers will continue to police your neighbourhood, and please feel free to approach them with any questions or concerns you may have. 

If, for any reason, you do not feel comfortable speaking to us directly, you can remain 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Kind regards,

Superintendent Lucky Singh

Newham Safer Neighbourhoods Superintendent.