Protestors marred Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to South Harrow this week by turning up to voice their concerns over the area’s policing.

Mrs May visited the Dhamecha Lohana Centre on Monday to support Conservative candidates in London and the South East ahead of next month’s General Election.  

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Standing outside the venue and holding up blank cheques which they said signified what the Prime Minister was asking voters to sign, protestors described their fear for the future of South Harrow police station if further cuts to police force budgets were made.

“The fear of crime is a big issue for local residents, especially with the recent spate of knife crime,” said campaigner Maxine Henson.

Harrow West Labour candidate Gareth Thomas, who welcomed Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to the borough this week, said Harrow Borough Police was at risk of being merged with Barnet and Wembley if a Conservative government pressed ahead with funding cuts to the Metropolitan Police.  

“We’ve lost 160 officers in Harrow since 2010 – a third of the force. Some Harrow arrests are taken to Colindale already,” he said.

“The Met Police Commissioner is saying the only way to maintain police numbers at their existing strength is to close police buildings.

“Colindale and Wembley police stations are purpose built so Harrow’s police station is at risk. If Harrow police station closes, police response times will be much slower as a result.”

However his argument was refuted by Bob Blackman, the Conservative candidate for Harrow East, who said police funding was a devolved matter that ultimately rested with Mayor Khan.  

“He’s got the money and resources to determine what happens. They should be protesting against him,” said Mr Blackman.

“I will be vigorously opposing any transfer of police away from Harrow. It’s a battle (Conservative candidate for Harrow East) Hannah David and I will fight should we be elected.”