The Metropolitan Police has announced the decision to close and sell four police stations in London that have not been in use, in order to finance upgrades within its facilities.

This action aligns with a new 10-year Estate Strategy in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), following an investment of £1.16 billion disclosed by the mayor earlier this year.

The police stations located in Notting Hill, Enfield, Teddington, and Kings Cross Road, all of which ceased public operations in 2017, will be put on the market.

Additionally, the police aim to establish 40 new neighborhood hubs that will serve as local bases for Safer Neighbourhood Teams, with the goal of ensuring that most neighborhood officers are reachable within a 20-minute walk from the communities they oversee.

The Met has already initiated hubs in Greenwich, Redbridge, and Westminster, with plans for more to be introduced.

The strategy also includes efforts to modernize forensic services, enhance evidence storage, improve training facilities for firearms officers, and commence the electrification of the Met’s vehicle fleet to align with carbon emissions targets.

However, the force has acknowledged that it “will need to make some difficult decisions regarding its current estate, which comprises over 200 properties across the city.”

This means prioritizing initiatives that increase officer presence in communities and investigating “innovative solutions in collaboration with partners, such as mobile or community hub police stations, to maximize the use of available resources.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan highlighted that these issues arise following “14 years of underfunding from the previous administration.”

“Half of the Metropolitan Police’s buildings do not meet acceptable standards and must adapt to fulfill the requirements of contemporary policing,” he stated.

“I will persist in collaborating with the commissioner to advocate for the necessary funding from the new government—ensuring we can continue to provide a safer London for all and build upon the significant reductions in crime and violence we have achieved.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley remarked: “Given the well-documented financial constraints we are facing, this new strategy outlines a realistic and feasible plan to upgrade our facilities to acceptable standards and ensure compliance with legal obligations while delivering on the priorities that matter to Londoners.

“The financial limitations significantly affect how swiftly we can enhance conditions for our officers and staff, as well as the support and services we offer to crime victims.

“It is unreasonable that the government allocates nearly twice the amount per square meter for civil servant offices, while the Met manages a far more diverse and specialized estate in a high-cost London environment.”

The Met is engaging in significant redevelopment projects at Forest Gate and Kentish Town police stations.

Upon completion of these developments, officers will relocate to the new facilities, allowing for the sale of surplus and temporary properties, including Holloway and Stratford police stations.

If additional funding becomes available, both the mayor and the force have indicated plans to expand on their initiatives.

Proposals include establishing new training facilities for all officers, redesigning victim spaces to make them more supportive and inviting, and enhancing the overall experience for individuals reporting crimes.

The strategy also envisions the construction of a new emergency response base in south-west London within the next decade.

Sadiq Khan has faced scrutiny from the London Assembly regarding the management of the Met’s draft Estates Strategy, following the sharing of plans with his appointed board before allowing input from elected members.

The London Assembly committee utilized its statutory authority to summon the mayor to clarify why it was not provided a copy of the draft strategy, thereby missing the opportunity to offer feedback in its oversight capacity.

A meeting originally scheduled for Thursday has been postponed to 15:00 GMT on Friday after Khan confirmed he would be unable to attend.