Andrew Dismore

Dear Editor

 

The  reports that squatters have occupied the now closed Hampstead Police Station is clearly an unacceptable, but perhaps predictable development given the lackadaisical attitude of the Mayor towards the building’s security. what prospect is there of protecting ordinary citizens from burglary, when entry to one of the Met’s own buildings is achieved so easily?

 

I have written to the Deputy Mayor for Policing, demanding answers to the following questions:

 

1. In January the alarm for the building was accidently triggered. This resulted in 48 hours of hell for neighbours of the police station as no one at the Met could find the keys or alarm code. Can you confirm that once the alarm siren was deactivated it was actually switched back on?

 

2. The squatters who have moved in have occupied buildings in Camden before. For these squatters to gain access to the site they must have found a way in without force. What checks were made to ensure that building was fully secure?

 

3. How was  building being secured since its closure?

 

4  How much have you spent to date on security?

 

5. How much are you spending per month?

 

6. What security arrangements are you getting for the money?

 

7 Who is the security company involved?

 

8 . In light of this development will you a) halt the sale of the site until the squatters are gone and b) halt the sale altogether  and reopen the police station  as clearly security in the area is needed.

 

Residents are entitled to ask , what prospect is there of protecting ordinary citizens from burglary, when entry to one of the Met’s own buildings is achieved so easily?

 

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Dismore

London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden