Police Could Be Based on Chiswick High Road Again |
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Councillors help arrange deal with station developer to provide facilitiesJanuary 19, 2024 The police may have a base in Chiswick again following a deal being struck with the developers of the former station site. Following lobbying by local councillors, Birchgrove, which is planning to demolish the building on the High Road and convert it into flats for the elderly, has agreed to provide facilities within the development to be used by the Metropolitan Police. The development of 205-211 Chiswick High Road still needs to get planning permission and it was expected to be considered by the borough planning committee before the end of last year. Currently the local police team under Sergeant Jim Cope serving the Chiswick wards of Gunnersbury, Homefields and Riverside have to report for work at the station in Acton and then use public transport to get to their regular beat. This makes it difficult to honour a commitment to never be more than 20 minutes away from the areas for which the Safer Neighbourhood Teams’ Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers are responsible . The idea for the return of the police to the site came up at the public meeting on crime held by local councillors last year. Cllr Ranjit Gill, who represents Chiswick Gunnersbury ward and is Conservative spokesperson on police and crime, was approached by Anil Puri, the local Police Superintendent who asked if he could assist in finding them a base in Chiswick. Cllr Gill said, “I know my colleagues and I have been trying very hard to locate a safe place for the Police. I put Mr Puri in touch with my contact in Birchgrove as I knew from previous discussions that they were willing to provide accommodation for the police.” He continued, “The new development by Birchgrove should afford the Police the ability to report for duty on Chiswick High Road and be at work within minutes. The development, which is currently with the Council for consideration and approval, can accommodate a secure changing room with lockers and shower, charging points for their body-worn cameras and communication devices, and safe storage for their tasers. In addition, PC Jim Cope and his team of ten will have access to two rooms in which to attend to their paperwork, have team meetings and make those important calls to witnesses and victims of crime within the borough in a private space.” “The benefits to the residents of the new community from Birchgrove is that they will be able to feel part of the wider community and contributing to the vibrancy of Chiswick High Road. Clearly, having the police based in a building open 24 hours a day can only help make the three wards feel more secure. “I hope this gives the Chiswick residents the assurance they need with greater Police presence in Chiswick. I would like to thank Birchgrove and the support of the leader of the Council.” The proposal has also received the backing of the leader of Hounslow Council, Shantanu Rajawat.
If and when the new facility opens remains unclear as the completion date of the Birchgrove project is not currently known assuming it gains planning approval. Comments can be made on the application the details of which can be found by searching using the reference (P/2023/1632) on Hounslow Council's planning pages.
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