Met Police funding fears Warning half of buildings could close

Shoreditch police station faces severe issues, including a sewage leak that has rendered part of the facility unusable. David Mathieson, the Metropolitan Police's director of real estate development, highlighted the aging infrastructure, stating that repairs are no longer sufficient. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned of a £260 million budget shortfall that could result in the closure of half the police buildings in London, which would likely lead to increased crime rates. Rowley noted that without additional funding, the government's objectives to halve knife crime and improve safety for women and girls could be at risk. The Met has reduced its operational buildings from 620 in 2010 to 260 in an effort to maintain frontline services.

Mathieson pointed out that maintenance budgets have drastically decreased, with refurbishments now planned every 125 years instead of 25. The station, closed to the public since 2017, still operates for training and community safety purposes. The ongoing situation reflects the long-term effects of austerity measures on police resources and community safety.