Creation of new 'police hubs' in Enfield 'progressing positively'

A pledge to “re-establish local police hubs in council buildings” formed part of the Tories’ local election manifesto

New “police hubs” that would make it easier to speak to officers in local areas could soon be arriving in Enfield, the council leader has said.

A pledge to “re-establish local police hubs in council buildings” formed part of the Enfield Conservatives’ election manifesto earlier this year, and this week leader Alessandro Georgiou gave an update on progress with implementing the idea.

In a response to a written question about the pledge submitted for Wednesday’s full council meeting, Cllr Georgiou said: “Discussions between the council and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) regarding the development of police hubs in Enfield are ongoing and progressing positively. Initial scoping work has been completed, with current efforts focused on establishing a police hub in Enfield Town.

“The council has provided the MPS with an occupation cost quotation and the proposal is currently being considered through the MPS’s internal governance and approval processes. The council is seeking clarification on the anticipated timetable for those decisions.

“At present, no council funding has been allocated to the scheme. The expectation is that occupation and operating costs would be met by the MPS, subject to their approval of the proposal.”

It was only a year ago that the Met and City Hall were planning to close Enfield borough’s only public-facing police station, in Edmonton Green, before a backlash prompted a U-turn.

As a compromise, the opening hours for Edmonton Police Station were instead reduced. Previously open for 24 hours, the public can only now report crimes in person between 10am and 10pm on weekdays and between 9am and 7pm on weekends.

It’s not clear at this stage what opening hours would be available for the council’s proposed police hubs in Enfield, and exactly what level of service they would offer, with more details expected next year.

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