GLA member disappointed with 'muted' opposition to policing plan (From Times Series)

Labour GLA member disappointed with 'muted' opposition to policing plan consultation at Hendon Town Hall

9:28am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Chris Hewett

Mr Dismore and a handful of supporters waved placards outside the town hall before the meeting

Barnet’s GLA member said he was disappointed by the “muted” opposition to the Mayor of London’s policing plans at a public consultation last night.

The Labour politician has been highly vocal in his opposition to the plans to close Barnet and Whetstone stations and reduce the opening hours at Golders Green.

But an audience of fewer than 100 people at last night’s Police and Crime Plan consultation meeting at Hendon Town Hall appeared to consist largely of supporters of the plans.

The meeting was hosted by deputy mayor for policing and crime Stephen Greenhalgh, who laid out the policing strategy in the capital that he hopes will save the force £500million by 2015.

Mr Dismore said: “It was a bit muted. There was a lot of technical stuff discussed and I’m not sure everyone understood the implications of these plans.

“I don’t feel the meeting was well publicised enough either. I felt more people would turn out.”

Mr Dismore and a handful of supporters waved placards outside the town hall before the meeting, calling on the Conservatives to stop the closure of police and fire stations in the capital.

Inside, the former Hendon MP twice stood up to voice his criticisms of the draft plan, which is due to be finalised in April, but had to talk over calls to sit down by opposition councillors and their supporters.

Speaking after the meeting, Barnet Labour group leader Alison Moore said: “When I speak to people, they are pretty shocked about the proposals and I don’t feel the audience was representative of that.”