In the battle to reopen Muswell Hill police station front counter, Lib Dem Leader Lynne Featherstone is to organise a public meeting following a further offer of help from the Met.

Lib Dem Leader Lynne Featherstone held discussions last week with Met consultant Helen Smith, who is coordinating their ‘Volunteers in Policing’ initiative. Along with local Inspector Simon Heffer, the two discussed ways of bringing forward volunteers and create greater community involvement at the station.

Ms Smith told Lynne Featherstone and local Police Inspector Simon Heffer that the Met was willing to back a scheme of local volunteers if local people were determined to see the station open.Ms Smith has been involved in a successful bid to reopen a police station in Merton, and had even stood herself outside a local Sainsbury’s to find the volunteers needed.She suggested a public meeting would help establish the degree of local support.

This is now aimed for the Autumn, with the Lib Dems coordinating efforts to persuade local residents’ associations, neighbourhood watches and individuals to back the idea.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“This was a very positive meeting, as Helen Smith has shown that she can get things done. Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens is now firmly backing this approach, so hopefully we can make real progress.I am going to visit the Merton Scheme myself, and we will now begin work on the public meeting to bring the scheme to Muswell Hill.”