| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Police meeting hijack by Ruth Cadbur | |
| Posted by: | Andy Pease | |
| Date/Time: | 21/12/18 13:11:00 |
| John.The Met carved London up into Divisions.Each division policed a certain area of London.T division covers from Chiswick in the East to Bedfont in the west with Feltham being the most westerly police station.Originally each police station covered the small area that it was situated in.So officers from Chiswick would only cover calls in Chiswick or Brentford.There used to be an operational police station in Brentford which was a sub section of Chiswick.So officers from both stations would cover calls on each others ground.Next along was Hounslow.These officers would only cover calls in Hounslow.Likewise with Feltham.There were usually around 15 officers on duty at each police station.As well as an 'Area Car' This would be a fast response car that would be assigned to any serious I grade call anywhere in the division.T divisions area car had a call sigh of Tango 1.Each division had their own radio channel.T division operated on channel 6.The main channel radios which assigned 999 calls to local stations and Area cars was until recently situated at Scotland Yard.Because of the volume 999 calls,these have now been moved to three new centres at Bow Hendon and Lambeth.I am surprised the Met decided to close and then sell Chiswick police station.If they are in need of more funds,why not sell the old Brentford police station.This has a section house above it that used to house officers.The old police station and section house is the building and tower block near Morrisons in Brentford.It must be worth considerably more than the building housing Chiswick police station.Brentford police station and section house have been closed for about 20 years.When you consider we had all these operational police stations fully staffed with officers just covering their own small areas,you can see where the cuts have really hit hard.In an emergency police vehicles can get from Feltham to Chiswick quickly.I myself have covered this distance in 11 minutes.This was in a Triumph 2500 PI At the time this vehicle was Tango 1.When the police divisions were set up,it was never envisaged that one police station would ever have to cover such a large area.All divisions now have far few officers than they should.Add to that that if an officer makes an arrest,that can take him off the road for upto four hours.Hounslow police station has the second busiest custody suite in the Met.This gives you an idea of how many prisoners pass through their doors.I think that just about covers it.But if I think of anything else,I'll let you know. |