Lambeth Labour Petitions to Save Brixton Police Station 24/7 Access

Key Points

• The Lambeth Labour Group has launched a petition urging the Metropolitan Police to maintain 24/7 public access at Brixton Police Station’s front counter and reject plans to reduce its hours.
• Under the proposed changes, the front counter at Brixton Police Station would operate from 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 7pm on weekends.
• If implemented, the nearest 24/7 police stations would be in Lewisham and Charing Cross.
• The Metropolitan Police plans to close 18 front counters across London, including 14 current 24/7 counters and four already-reduced ones, to address a £260 million budget gap.
• These closures are expected to save around £7 million and reduce 3,752 hours of police office time per month.
• Lambeth Labour councillors describe the 24/7 counter as “vital” for the safety of residents, particularly elderly people, vulnerable individuals, and victims needing face-to-face support.
• Critics argue there has been no proper consultation with residents, the council, or local stakeholders regarding the Brixton plans.
• A Metropolitan Police spokesperson states the proposals are in early stages, with stakeholder engagement including unions, and formal consultation to follow a decision.
• Cllr Mahamed Hashi, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities at Lambeth Council, welcomes recent extra police officers for Brixton and falling violent crime rates but opposes reduced access now.
• The police station serves multiple busy town centres and venues across the borough, not just Brixton, affecting the entire area.

Brixton, South London (South London News) February 6, 2026 – Campaigners from the Lambeth Labour Group have launched a petition to prevent the Metropolitan Police from reducing 24/7 public access at Brixton Police Station’s front counter, calling it a vital resource for community safety. The proposed cuts would limit hours to 10am-10pm weekdays and 9am-7pm weekends, forcing residents to travel to Lewisham or Charing Cross for round-the-clock service. This forms part of a wider Metropolitan Police strategy to shutter 18 front counters amid a £260 million budget shortfall, sparking fierce local opposition over inadequate consultation.

Why Are Campaigners Opposing the Brixton Police Station Cuts?

Lambeth Labour councillors have emphasised the critical role of the station’s front counter in supporting vulnerable groups. They argue it provides essential face-to-face assistance for elderly residents, vulnerable individuals, and crime victims who may struggle with alternative reporting methods. As reported in coverage by MyLondon, the group’s petition urges the Metropolitan Police to scrap the reductions entirely, highlighting the station’s importance beyond Brixton to the broader borough.

The pushback centres on the timing of the changes, despite recent positive developments in local policing. Cllr Mahamed Hashi, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities at Lambeth Council, stated:

“Firstly, we welcome the fact that we’ve just secured extra police officers for Brixton and that we are seeing a fall in violent crime across Lambeth. But this isn’t the time to reduce public access to our last remaining police station. This decision affects the whole borough, the police station serves multiple busy town centres and venues across the borough, not just Brixton.”

Lambeth Labour has further criticised the lack of meaningful engagement, claiming no proper consultation occurred with residents, the council, or local stakeholders before the Brixton-specific plans advanced.

What Changes Are Proposed for Brixton Police Station’s Front Counter?

Under the Metropolitan Police’s blueprint, Brixton Police Station’s front counter would shift from 24/7 availability to restricted hours. Weekday operations would run from 10am to 10pm, while weekends would see service from 9am to 7pm. This adjustment aligns with broader efficiency drives but has alarmed locals reliant on immediate access.

For those needing service outside these windows, alternatives lie further afield. The nearest 24/7 front counters would be at Lewisham Police Station and Charing Cross Police Station, potentially complicating response times for Brixton-area emergencies or reports. MyLondon’s detailed coverage notes this as part of a pattern affecting South London communities.​

How Does This Fit into the Metropolitan Police’s Wider Closure Plans?

The Brixton proposal sits within a larger Metropolitan Police overhaul targeting 18 front counters across London. This includes closing 14 stations currently open 24/7 and four with pre-existing reduced hours. The force faces a daunting £260 million budget gap, prompting these measures to streamline operations.

Financially, the Met anticipates savings of around £7 million annually from the closures. Operationally, it projects a monthly reduction of 3,752 hours in police office time, redirecting resources elsewhere. As outlined in MyLondon’s comprehensive list of affected sites, the strategy prioritises fiscal sustainability amid funding pressures.​

What Savings and Impacts Does the Met Expect from Front Counter Closures?

The Metropolitan Police has quantified the benefits of its plan succinctly. Closures would yield £7 million in savings, easing the £260 million deficit, while trimming 3,752 police office hours per month. A spokesperson for the Met explained:

“The Met said its decision to reduce and close some front counters will save around £7million and would cut 3,752 hours of police office time per month.”

These efficiencies aim to preserve core policing functions under constraint. However, the spokesperson stressed the proposals remain preliminary, countering claims of rushed implementation.

What Is the Metropolitan Police’s Stance on Consultation and Next Steps?

The Met maintains it is proceeding cautiously with the front counter adjustments. A spokesperson clarified:

“A spokesperson for the Met said they remain in the early stages of the proposals to reduce and close some front counters, and have engaged with stakeholders, including unions prior to a formal consultation which they said will occur when a decision is made.”

This engagement includes unions and other parties, with formal consultation promised post-decision. The force refutes assertions of insufficient dialogue, positioning the process as stakeholder-informed from the outset.

Who Is Leading the Campaign to Save Brixton Police Station?

The Lambeth Labour Group spearheads the effort, mobilising through a public petition directed at the Metropolitan Police. Councillors portray the station as indispensable, particularly amid recent gains in officer numbers and crime reduction. Cllr Mahamed Hashi’s outspoken comments underscore the borough-wide ramifications, given the station’s service to diverse locales.

No additional voices from other media were identified in cross-coverage, but MyLondon’s reporting captures the councillors’ unified front.​

When Did Lambeth Secure Extra Police for Brixton and What Crime Trends Are Seen?

Recent successes bolster the campaigners’ case. Lambeth has “just secured extra police officers for Brixton,” per Cllr Hashi, coinciding with “a fall in violent crime across Lambeth.” These improvements, as noted in MyLondon, argue against tampering with public access now.​

Why Is Brixton Police Station Considered ‘Vital’ Beyond Its Locality?

Cllr Hashi highlighted its expansive footprint: “This decision affects the whole borough, the police station serves multiple busy town centres and venues across the borough, not just Brixton.” This multi-centre role amplifies the stakes for Lambeth residents. [ via MyLondon]

What Happens If the 24/7 Access Is Lost?

Without reversal, Brixton residents face travel to Lewisham or Charing Cross for overnight or early-morning needs. Vulnerable groups could suffer most, lacking proximate face-to-face options. The petition seeks to avert this, framing it as a safety regression.

Broader Context: London’s Policing Budget Crisis

The Met’s £260 million gap drives the 18 closures, reflecting national funding strains on police services. MyLondon detailed the “full list” of impacted counters, positioning Brixton within a capital-wide recalibration.​