Changes to front counters in Westminster

Changes to front counters in Westminster

Dear Residents,

I am writing to inform you about the upcoming changes to front counters at police stations across the MPS.

From Saturday 28 February 2026, 10 front counters at police stations will close and from Tuesday 3 March 2026, new operating hours will come into effect.

I am writing to inform you that there will be no changes to the front counter opening times at Charing Cross Police Station and we will remain open 24 hours a day.

However, the front counter at Church Street will be closed.

Alternatively, you can report an incident by:

Visiting the Met Police website

Calling the non-emergency number 101

For hearing or speech-impaired users, you can text 18000 to access our textphone service

If a crime is happening right now or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.

You can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.

Why are these changes being made?

The way people contact the police has changed.

Since 2012, reports made at front counters have dropped by 60%. At some of the quieter locations, we’re seeing fewer than three reports a day. And overnight, only one in every 2,000 crimes is reported at a front counter.

We’re adapting to how Londoners engage with us. These changes help us to focus our resources on where communities need us most – visible, local policing that keeps our streets safe.

Won’t the reduction of hours and front counter closures make London less safe?

What makes London safer is as many officers as possible on the frontline, tackling and driving down crime.

Today, 95% of crime reports are made through other channels, not at front counters. These changes will free up approximately 3,000 officer hours, allowing extra resources to investigate crimes, update victims and step-up our action on key priorities like knife crime, robbery and anti-social behaviour.

Will it make a difference?

We are investing significantly in neighbourhood policing, and we are already seeing results:

1,000 more arrests are being made each month.

Neighbourhood crime is down, with double-digit reductions in personal robbery, theft from person, and vehicle crime.

Knife crime has dropped significantly this year.

And homicides are at their lowest since monthly records began in 2003.

The Met is reducing a £260 million funding gap. This means making tough choices to ensure our shrinking resources are focused where they have the greatest impact.

These changes will deliver £7 million of savings meaning we can focus as much resource as possible on frontline policing that keep you safe.

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Message Sent By
James Weston
(Metropolitan Police, Chief Inspector, Westminster)