On 1st August [2025] Margaret Mullane, Labour’s MP for Dagenham and Rainham, launched a campaign to save the front counter at Dagenham Police Station in response to the planned closure of 18 of the 37 counters in London as a cost cutting exercise by the Met Police.
This week new information has come to light which has unveiled that in 2023 the Metropolitan Police spent £297,931 on “Front Counter Works” in Dagenham. These works were primarily to enhance security, providing a new airlock system for safe entry and exit for staff and the public, included in this cost was also the redecoration of public areas.
Margaret Mullane has responded to the findings: “The Met is on a cost cutting mission to save £7m which works out at around £400k per counter lost. If the front counter at Dagenham Police Station goes the Met will have spent £300k to make a £400k saving. It doesn’t make financial sense to close it after this investment.”
Further research into the proposed closures across London highlighted that despite Barking and Dagenham having a high rate of crime of 102.9 offences per 1000 people over the past 12 months, areas with lower rates of crime are set to retain their front counters. Included in this are Kingston upon Thames (69.7 offences per 1000), Bromley (79.5 offences per 1000), and neighbouring boroughs Redbridge (84.3) and Havering (82.3).
Margaret added: “We have a higher rate of crime, and a fully refurbished and secure front counter at Dagenham Police Station. Whilst I don’t think we should be closing any front counters in London, if they must go as a savings exercise it should be based on crime rates.
“Given that several areas with lower levels of crime are retaining their front counters under these plans, added to that, the £300k of investment which would be wasted if Dagenham front counter were to close, I am urging the Met to revisit this decision.”
In the coming days Margaret Mullane MP will be writing to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police regarding these matters and making a case to keep the front counter open.
Margaret concluded: “The crime in our area isn’t disappearing, but our ability to report it face to face is. The campaign continues. If residents haven’t signed the petition already, add your voice today and share it with friends, family, and neighbours.”
Sign the petition here: https://www.margaretmullane.co.uk/dagenham-police-station-petition