A petition backed by thousands to 'save' Bexleyheath police station from being sold off has been handed to City Hall.

Nearly 8,000 people signed the petition to stop Sadiq Khan selling off the front desk in the town centre to combat cuts to the Met.

Sadiq Khan opened a consultation on plans that would sell the town centre station and move facilities to Marlowe House in Sidcup.

The plans were met with strong opposition from Bexley council, MPs David Evenett and Teresa Pearce, and the Neighbourhood Watch.

Conservative London Assembly member Gareth Bacon, who received the petition along with a copy of News Shopper, said: “This petition shows a growing concern from Bexley residents, particularly among elderly and vulnerable groups, about the Mayor’s plans to close this vital community asset.

“Residents are right to question the logic of moving police services away from the centre of the borough, further from the reach of many for reporting crime. It will also result in the loss of other community and crime prevention benefits that a permanent police presence brings.

“We need to consider how this change will impact communities in Bexley, as well as seeking assurances on how it will affect response times in the borough.

“I fully support this petition and will be handing it to the Mayor.”

According to Sadiq Khan, the Met faces £400m of cuts by 2021 as a result of the Government’s “failure to properly fund the police service”.

News Shopper:

Bexleyheath police station


Dana Whiffen, chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch and one of the petition organisers, said previously that moving services to Sidcup would make it difficult for older residents to report crimes.

He said: " Closing the police station would mean that some residents who aren't computer savvy might be punished,and they would be the ones who are the most worried about crime.

"The transport to Sidcup makes things harder as well. It is not as central, if you live in Erith say it is easier to get to Bexleyheath."

The results of the consultation are now being analysed and a final strategy will be released with a breakdown of public responses.