Forum Topic

New 'Police station' for Chiswick

This is obviously welcome news. Reading between the lines though it seems both the council and local Chiswick councillors have made some very well-timed suggestions that such an offer from Birchgrove might make their planning application go more smoothly. If this is the case, they have played their hand well and deserve our respect and admiration.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 972d65 Comments

How about changing police station for a person behind a desk in a small room with glass between them and you ticking boxes and giving advice.

Julian Pavey ● 972d

What protest did our Borough Commander put up against Sadiq Khan closing down our original police station ?Unfortunately I can probably guess..

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 972d

He did not because borough commanders dont protest. However he did say "borough commander" at the time,6 years ago that they were looking at suitable places to have a desk but did say that chiswick police station had roughly 1.2 reported crimes a day at the front desk and most were minor crimes that needed no police action but to be reported and a crime number given. That can be done online Only change i see here is the officers dont need to travel after clocking on for work. A police station never stopped crime happening and thats near to the doors of the police station. Did i miss something,are we geting extra police in the turnaround. Only thing i can say is those that do operate locally do a good job under the circumstances. And anything of urgent attention will recieve quite a swift responce. Its not as if you no longer see police in cars in chiswick.

Julian Pavey ● 972d

UMMM.. just between us Julian - I think  police officers actually have to get out of those warm cars you ve spotted and actually DO something for anything to change on the streets

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 972d

Well i hope they are fit and can run back and forwards a few miles every 30 mins.Policing has changed and possibly criminals have changed.Yes we need more policeman but i dont think police on streets stops crime. Ever been in the west end of a late evening. Many police,but much crime.The idea robbers who were once frightened of the heavy mob turning up and made sure they were in,out and gone before they turned up no longer applies. Policing has changed for the better and the worse but criminals have changed. They are no longer worried.

Julian Pavey ● 972d

I hope this means we get our car park out of the clutches of the markets. They have other options but they don’t remove car parking spaces anywhere else, so it’s not so much fun.

Maggie Dodge ● 972d

Welcome news that the police will have some presence in Chiswick.Not quite sure what this has to do with car parking and the Chiswick markets?

Sonia Beddington ● 972d

The car park outside the old police station is regularly taken ‘out of service’ to allow for markets . These markets could easily be set up on more appropriate and larger sites locally. The removal of parking is part of the anti car agenda locally. I doubt/hope the police will see parking in a car park is the correct use

Maggie Dodge ● 972d

You're getting more and more like Colonel Walter Kurtz, MaggieMartin Sheen coming on a bike?

Mark Frost ● 972d

Most areas have Markets on the high streets now Maggie and have had for years.

Janice Evans ● 972d

- Julian you ve got a hard sell on your hands promoting the  Met police/Chiswick police. Their reputation didnt go down the pan overnight and you wont restore it overnight either.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 971d

Pointless , no idea who you’re on about, sorry it fell a bit flat Mark😂. But I remind you a car park,  is a car park,  is a car park , FOR CARS👍It’s something even you can understand if you read it a few times and look up car park in a dictionary

Maggie Dodge ● 971d

Chiswick is awash with green spaces Janice, suitable for markets, room for seating  etc. I  don’t object to markets,  I object to removing car parking spaces unnecessarily. You know I’m sure those ‘up themselves ‘ tried to get the name changed, to try to confuse what the area is used for. They failed .! I’d like to see the markets moved, that’s all

Maggie Dodge ● 971d

Not pointless Maggie, you just have to know some things.Apocacycleclipse now.

Mark Frost ● 971d

Understand and would be nice in the summer but the idea is to bring customers to the shops nearby.

Janice Evans ● 971d

Given that what the Police seem to need is a place to change and to plug in their tech, isn't their strong case to bring back the trusty Police Box in 21st century form? It would act as a further physical presence, with shoplifters/muggers never knowing what might emerge from the box? The cultural psychology if they look like reminiscent of Dr Who's TARDIS might be even more effective. No doubt RoboCop would one day emerge, freshly charged for action...

Richard Harrison ● 971d

: )

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 970d

Jeremy - what level of protest did our council and local councillors make against Sadiq Khan flogging off our original police station for luxury flats please ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 970d

Really, so all those events on the green areas and the farmers market at Dukes Meadow?  You've bought the hype I think Janice.  I thought Chiswick was heaving.  Maybe we need less restaurants and some more interesting shops and then we might not need to encourage people to come out

Maggie Dodge ● 970d

Maggie, in other areas the markets are on the High Streets, thought someof the shops so want stalls so what's the reason for wanting it moved.

Janice Evans ● 970d

Maggie, I think any new parking spaces will be charge points for EVs

Janice Evans ● 970d

My recollection was that there was a great deal of anger and resistance to the proposal. It wasn't a decision made by Sadiq Khan though. The review of the police estate began under Boris Johnson and the selection of which stations to be closed was made by the Met. Most of the Met's funding comes from the Home Office so the financial constraints driving these sort of decisions are complicated. All parties campaigned against it as far as I remember but all, were in some way complicit with what happened.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 970d

Will Watson ● 969d

There is so much unrestricted parking (on Sundays) within a short walk away from the car park in front of the Old Police Station and George IV.Whatever problems a Sunday market might potentially cause, the loss of a small number of parking spaces on a Sunday isn't going to be on top of my list of causes for concern.

Andrew Jones ● 969d

Thank you for taking time to explain that Jeremy. It seems the new police station will be for officers use only with no public admittance or reporting of crime.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 969d

So begun with Boris, to what stage? then made by the Met. Aren't the Met controlled by Khan?

Maggie Dodge ● 969d

I think the Met ulitmately is under the control of the Home Secretary but its governance comes under the GLA.The original plan for station closures was made under Johnson in 2013.I don't know for sure but I would imagine you won't be able to report crimes at the new 'station'. This would require a member of staff to be based there rather than out and about which surely is a better use of their time. A tiny proportion of crimes are reported in station and the Met are encouraging people to do this online or, if they can't by phone.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 969d

I don’t mind admitting I’m a bit confused. “Sadiq Khan did not follow ‘due process’ in sacking Cressida Dick as Met Commissioner, report finds”So he has the power/ability to fire the Met Commissioner but he’s not in charge?

Maggie Dodge ● 969d

Cressida Dick wasn't fired, she resigned. There is a difference between governance and control - think of it as the difference between a football referee and a team manager. In almost any job, if you have lost the confidence of the regulator you would have to go. Neither Johnson or Khan initiated the closing of police stations because it was never in their power to do so.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 969d

Who is the Met Police regulator Jeremy ? Thanks.Hopefully the answer is not the Police Complaints Commission as they are hopelessly corrupt.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 968d

The Police Complaints Commission no longer exists so your confident assessment of its integrity may be misplaced.I am not competent to give a good explanation of exactly how the Met is regulated but the GLA (and hence the Mayor) does play a role in its governance.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 968d

- Apologies, perhaps the correct name is the IOPC but it amounts to the same thing; they deal with complaints from the public about the police - and they are indeed corrupt. I have first-hand experience sadly.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 968d

thelibertybeacon.com  Italian Police Unions Sound The Alarm Over Surge In Officer Deaths Post VaxItalian police union is calling for an investigation, they have 29yr old officers suddenly collapsing and dying. The police union is requesting transparency and data in response to their concern for the welfare of their officers.Is our UK police union /federation concerned ????All Police Lives Matter.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 967d

UK police will notice this.UK police will be curious.UK police will care about this.Camaraderie transcends borders, nationalities..Where We Go One We Go All

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 967d

Laurence Fox - This country is broken, crime detection is prioritised on perceived oppression status. Child rape gangs flourish while the police drive around wearing uniforms of the child mutilation cult and their cars bedecked in rainbows.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 959d

NURSE !!!

David Burke ● 959d

2 Sept 2022 — Dame Cressida Dick 'felt intimidated' into resigning as Met Police commissioner and London mayor Sadiq Khan 'did not follow due process', so  he brought about her resignation. She jumped before she was pushed. You say Johnson wasn’t responsible for closing police stations but others say he was responsible. Team manager/referee , I see no connection there at all . The referee is not connected to any one club

Maggie Dodge ● 959d

A credible person called in to LBC early this morning about the police pod in his area.He had found a ladies purse and wanted to hand it in.Firstly he was obliged to press an outside button on and entry phone and wait for a response. He was then let into a glass inner lobby which he couldn't leave. There he was interviewed none to kindly.After which the door in front of him was remotely opened which gave him access to an inner area where he was able to hand in the purse to an officer behind a glass screen by placing it in a tray similar to the ones used in banks.Make of that what you will.

Adrian Irving ● 959d

Any one know which community group will benefit? “Birchgrove has promised to make ground floor facilities in the development available to local community groups ‘at minimal cost’ and provide a secure space for the local police team.”

Maggie Dodge ● 954d

There is an 's' on groups ie it's a plural.

Philippa Bond ● 954d

“Has anyone noticed the traffic light phasing in some parts of Hounslow seems to have  changed? A lot more congestion at the lights on the junction of Steve Biko way resulting in a lot more  traffic at that junction and the lights on the Staines road near  the Dukes green  tescos has been changed and you have hardly any time to turn at that junction now.” Ooh traffic light changes causing traffic jam hmmm

Maggie Dodge ● 954d

So who are the GroupS? Obviously some in mind

Maggie Dodge ● 954d

Maggie, why don't you enquire on behalf of one of the local community groups you are involved with?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 953d

Jeremy, how about your groups, any gossip? I think it would be more honest to name them and let others judge the worthiness or otherwise. Or a vote.No idea how it works. Does it help if you have contacts, a foot in the door already? A famous friend, a friend on the right committee? Endless possibilities

Maggie Dodge ● 953d

Well deflected Maggie ☺️

Andrew Jones ● 953d

Call it what you like. I’d like answers about these groups. When do we the locals get told what’s going on ?

Maggie Dodge ● 953d

I hope there is some sort of contract because sadly these sort of promises are often broken.

Philippa Bond ● 953d

People who do nothing and don't live or vote in Hounslow demand to have a veto on people who do something and do.

Paul Campbell ● 953d

As the opening of this community space is at least three years away it is premature to speculate who might benefit from it. I presume Maggie's 'concern' is down to fears that the markets might get to use the space. The rest of the world would see it as logical that if Birchgrove was genuine in its commitment to the community it would assist community events happening on its door step.A more legitimate concern is how Birchgrove can be held to these commitments as Phillipa has highlighted. It would only take a small number of residents to object to non-residents on the premises for Birchgrove to be in a difficult position. If any arrangements to provide community access, including for the police, are non-binding, then they may never happen.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 952d

Jeremy whilst I  sort of understand your thinking. I never envisaged markets indoors, in an older persons residence. Think about it 😂honestly. How much space are we looking at? No it’s  it’s another prejudice I have. People who know people who get first dibs for their own benefit rather than the locals as a whole, even though they sell themselves as philanthropic . I’m really quite happy to admit. I think everyone knows  what my issues are. Minorities getting their way over the majority. Again because they ‘know’ people. Unfairness drives me, always has , always will 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 952d

Kensington had a wonderful indoor market not sure if it is still there.

Janice Evans ● 952d

Used to go there in my teens. WonderfulPlace a ejt of Afghans and joss sticks. Huge as I remember

Maggie Dodge ● 952d

And Biba.

Janice Evans ● 952d

Loved it, and Portobello Market Saturdays.

Janice Evans ● 952d

Biba and Bus Stop,

Maggie Dodge ● 952d

I found a childs school bag with many belongings in Grove Park, this was when we still had a police station in Chiswick; I tried to hand it in to them at that station and the police officer on the desk told me " we get told not to take in lost property anymore". I asked him what I should do with the bag ?  " put it back where you found it" came the reply.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 943d

Thanks for reminding us of this poorly governed 'Community Care' activity ... upon which we once looked at the Town's Police Station for help.We tolerate such shortcomings these days ...it's a disgrace.

Jim Lawes ● 943d

Police stations some 13 years ago were instructed from HQ to refuse taking lost property under a valuation of £50 or more, presumably so officers could use their valuable time more profitably chasing burglaries, shop lifters, vandalism, drugs, and so on.I believe domestic abuse has escalated to the detriment of these pursuits. Apart from putting more boots on the ground I believe the scale and number of protest marches now absorbs much more police time and money than before.One suggestion I have is that football clubs should pay for policing outside of their grounds during game time: it is unfair on taxpayers to bare this cost.

Denis I. Fox ● 943d

I have an idea.Give the police a substantial payrise; to those who bleat we cant afford it  -1. We cant afford NOT to do it !2. Govt can find 40+ something billion from nowhere for a test n trace system etc etc so yes they do have money scuttled away somewhere despite denials.Then make around 50% of their new salary results dependent, you can argue about exactly what percentage but it needs to be a decent amount, then officers on the beat will feel its appreciated and worthwhile to tackle difficult and dangerous situations which ultimately benefits us public and the officers at the same time. The ridiulous talking shop meetings that achieve nothing will screech to a halt, there wont be time for talking and sandwiches, police will be much too busy "doing" which again benefits us and them.Whats not to like ??

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 941d

Have you been at the cheese Madam?

Mark Frost ● 941d

The Mushrooms 😉

Janice Evans ● 941d

Normally youtubeWhere money is to be earned,your find the best stories going

Julian Pavey ● 941d

I VE NO IDEA WHAT YOU LOT ARE TALKING ABOUT ?! WHY DONT YOU COME UP WITH A PLAN OF YOUR OWN FOR OUR POLICE ??

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 941d

> I VE NO IDEA WHAT YOU LOT ARE TALKING ABOUT ?! WHY DONT YOU COME UP WITH A PLAN OF YOUR OWN FOR OUR POLICE ??Well we could make all capitals a capital offence, but that might be an extreme case, that bother upper and lower orders will shift and return on.

Russell Pearson ● 941d

It was disappointing to read Jo Biddulph's blog on this because it seemed like a some sort of solution might have been arrived at.  The continuous reductions and cuts in public services as a result of  our political system and an ideology have caused and are still causing ongoing problems.

Philippa Bond ● 941d