Harlow MP Chris Vince writes to Chief Constable over closure of police station front counter
News / Wed 2nd Jul 2025 at 10:55am
LABOUR and Co-operative MP Chris Vince has written to the Chief Constable of Essex Police and the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, calling on them to reverse the decision to close the front desk at Harlow Police Station.
“This is the wrong decision,” Vince said. “It undermines community safety, damages trust in local policing, and ignores what residents are clearly asking for – a more visible police presence, not less.”
Despite Essex Police receiving an additional £27.1 million in government funding this year, the decision has been made to cut one of the few remaining public access points to policing in Harlow.
“So why is it still coming down to closures and cutbacks? Why is this decision being made now?” Vince continued. “This isn’t about good policing. It’s the result of years of Conservative cuts taken to the extreme – and it’s Harlow residents who will end up paying the price.”
Vince is urging Essex Police and the PFCC to reconsider and commit to strengthening, not weakening, the connection between local people and their police service.
“We need more officers on the beat and more ways for people to report crime, not fewer,” Vince said.
Mr Grumpy
2025-07-02 13:16:42
Less police equals more crime. Shame those in positions of authority are too blind/brainless to realise this.
Sam
2025-07-02 13:24:34
“damages trust …….., and ignores what residents are clearly asking for” – says the man who was prepared to vote ‘Yes’ to THREE different iterations of the PIP Bill in one week. How can you have trust in a man who is prepared to change his position on an issue that so profoundly affects his constituents THREE times in one week.
Colin
2025-07-02 20:52:51
The post of police and fire commissioner should be abolished and the money saved be put to better use such as more police on the ground
Adrienne
2025-07-03 04:10:54
We need physical support in a symbiotic relationship with technology,end of.
Mrs Black
2025-07-03 10:14:26
Chris Vince, you almost had me applauding your quick actions to try to stop our Police front desk closure, and then you went and blamed it on the previous government!!!
Marie
2025-07-03 11:22:25
Chris Vince as turned around so much along with starmer they must both be getting dizzy. Our MP will do anything to keep hold of his position and if that means sending his constituents down the river so be it ! Our MP is Hanging on by his fingernails. Along with starmer and the rest of the labour party.
Ted
2025-07-03 16:51:41
Why are you bothering with Harlow constituents, you don't normally, why change a habit of a lifetime. Chris if you think I am constantly having a dig at you because I think you are a totally useless MP for Harlow , you'd be bloody correct.
AB
2025-07-03 19:46:07
The police station closures and other cuts in police services commenced during 14 years of 'Austerity', these latest cuts are just the most recent consequences of that policy. The current government is stuck between a rock and a hard place prioritising which services and benefits can survive.
David Forman
2025-07-04 06:25:53
Vince still peddling the extra money nonsense that the PFCC explained was not enough to meet all the priorities the Labour government had given him. PFCC Roger Hirst stated on February 4: "However, the additional funding is not enough to cover the whole of the Essex Police budget shortfall and some measures will still have to be taken." See statement at https://essex.pfcc.police.uk/news/pfcc-announces-plan-to-save-essex-pcsos-after-additional-funding
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