People power has led to a rethink on the closure of Kingsbury police station.

A public outcry followed the revelation in January that the station in The Mall would be closed to make "efficiency savings".

But the new borough-wide commander for Brent, Chief Superintendent Paul Green, is now preparing to appeal against the planned closure.

A new financial case for the station is being prepared and support from the public could be crucial in tipping the balance in favour of keeping it open.

Kingsbury sector Inspector Marc Davis said: "The last thing we want to do is close and pull out of Kingsbury. The office is a valuable point of contact for the community.

"There has been a lot of representation from the public opposed to the closure and that will be taken into account when the appeal decision is made."

The office, staffed by an inspector, sergeant and six constables, is attached to the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Police's north west London division.

Local people say they were promised a station would remain on the site when the headquarters moved to Colindale and claim they have been betrayed.

Closure of the station was announced by Chief Superintendent Peter Goulding just before he was promoted from commander of the Wembley Division. Substantial investment to upgrade the station was needed but could not be justified when two per cent efficiency savings had to be found, he said.

But a change in the assistant commissioner who agreed the closure and the recent merger of the Wembley and Kilburn divisions has given new hope that the decision can be reversed.

Kingsbury ward councillor Reg Colwill hailed the announcement of a possible reprieve as "marvellous news".

"The police have a great deal of respect and trust in the Kingsbury area and they are a vital part of the community," he said.

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