Lib Dem Councillor Lynne Featherstone has praised Haringey’s new police chief for saying that he was ‘positively for’ the re-opening of Muswell Hill Police station. The news follows a meeting between Ms Featherstone and Chief Supt Bloomfield on Friday, and a long running campaign by Ms Featherstone and local residents to reopen the front counter at the station.

Mr Bloomfield also told Ms Featherstone that he ‘was not against’ reopening the front counter on a part-time basis. Last year, when around 30 volunteers applied to staff the counter, the decision was taken by the police that this was not enough people to reopen fully, as a pool of around 70 volunteer applications would be necessary to secure the 40 individuals actually needed. With this change of criteria to a ‘start small’ philosophy, Chief Supt Bloomfield has called for the applications to come back from ‘Central Registry’ where they have been stored, to enable Haringey police to have another look.

However, Chief Supt Bloomfield said that there were still barriers to be overcome. The main barrier in giving the go ahead is accommodation problems at Muswell Hill police station where the new Police Community Support Officers for the West of the borough are based. Chief Bloomfield does not want to move officers or support officers out of the Muswell Hill station. In addition, it will cost money to set up the front counter.

Commenting after the meeting, Lynne Featherstone said:

“This is very encouraging news, and I am delighted that the new Commander is so positive about trying to see if the front counter can be re-opened, at least on a part-time basis. He is quite right not to move officers away from the Muswell Hill station as we really need them based in the area.

“I am optimistic that this time all the good will and community spirit of local residents will result in the front counter re-opening. Let’s hope, if Chief Supt Bloomfield feels we can proceed, that all those who volunteered are still interested and willing to do so.”