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Abena Oppong-Asare MP Welcomes Commitment to Keep Plumstead Police Station Front Counter Open

Local MP for Erith and Thamesmead, Abena Oppong-Asare, has welcomed the news that Plumstead Police Station’s front counter will remain open, following strong community opposition to its proposed closure.

Since the proposals were announced over the summer, Abena has been engaging directly with local residents who expressed deep concerns about the plans.

The local MP made strong representations to the Metropolitan Police and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, conveying residents’ concerns and stressing the importance of retaining a visible, accessible point of contact for policing in Plumstead.

Yesterday [15 October], the Metropolitan Police confirmed that 27 front counters across London will now remain open following public consultation, including right here in Plumstead.

Abena Oppong-Asare MP said:

“Residents made clear how important it is to keep Plumstead Police Station open and accessible.

“It was important for me to make representations to the Met Police and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I’m delighted that they have listened and confirmed the front counter in Plumstead will stay open.

“This is a positive outcome for local residents and a real example of the community’s voice being heard.”

The updated plan means seven more front counters will stay open than originally proposed, as part of the Met’s efforts to make tough choices to close a £260 million funding gap while maintaining public access to policing services.

More information is available via the Metropolitan Police Newsroom: https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-police-progress-in-closing-ps260m-funding-gap-502211

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Abena Raises Concerns about Plan to Close Plumstead Police Station Front Counter 

Abena Oppong-Asare MP has today written to the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to raise her concerns about the proposed closure of the front counter at Plumstead Police Station.

Plumstead Police Station plays a vital role in the local community, serving as an important hub where residents can access policing services and support to help keep the area safe.

In August, it was announced that the Metropolitan Police Service is planning to close the front counter at Plumstead Station. The rest of the Station will remain as it was to continue with its normal work. However, this change would mean that residents in Greenwich borough would need to travel to Lewisham, Bexleyheath or Bromley to report a crime in person.

After speaking with local residents over the summer, who have shared their reservations about these plans, Abena has today written to the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, to raise her constituents’ concerns directly with those making the decisions.

She has also copied in Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, and Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.

In her letter, Abena said:

“While I appreciate the financial and operational pressures currently facing the Metropolitan Police Service, I believe it is vital that decisions of this nature fully consider their potential impact on public confidence, accessibility, and community safety.”

You can read Abena’s full letter below.

13.10.25 – Letter from Abena Oppong-Asare MP to Deputy Mayor for Policing and CrimeDownload
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Walkabout with Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team

It was important to recently join a walkabout with the Thamesmead Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). It was insightful to see and hear firsthand how they deal with the challenges of policing in the local area. What stood out as especially valuable was observing how they cooperate with local schools to ensure a safe dispersal at the end of the school day – making sure the area is kept safe for the students and residents.

It is important we continue to restore trust in our police and crack down on all forms of crime.

Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:

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Walkabout with Superintendent Simon Corbin 

I was pleased to be able to join the London Metropolitan Police Superintendent for the London Borough of Bexley, Simon Corbin, and his colleagues for a walkabout around Thamesmead to discuss the great work the local team are doing to keep resident’s safe.  

It was helpful to learn about the priorities locally, including drugs dealing, youth violence and issues around local secondary schools. We agreed to have such walkabouts regularly to keep up to date on the current issues within the constituency and discuss the best ways of working together. 

You can find your local officer, get the latest crime statistics, and discover what the Police are doing to tackle crime in your area here: https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/  

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We must tackle the knife crime epidemic

On 26th November our constituency was rocked by the deaths of two 16-year-old boys, Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke.  Charlie and Kearne were tragically killed by knife crime.  This awful crime is a blight on the future of our young people and can only be resolved if all MPs work together across the House to address and tackle serious youth violence. At Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the Prime Minister what he is doing to address the knife crime epidemic that has shocked our community.

You can watch my speech using the following link here, and you can read my question to the Prime Minister here.

Since then, I have also written to the Home Secretary to confirm what she is doing to end this epidemic now. You can read it here: Abena Oppong-Asare Letter to Rt Hon Suella Braverman MP

Abena Oppong-Asare Tweet on November 30th 2022:

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Government and employers must act in response to the death of Belly Mujinga

I have received a huge amount of emails requesting a thorough investigation into the deeply saddening death of Belly Mujinga.

Belly Mujinga worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, ensuring that transport could remain operational for key workers throughout the crisis. News of Ms Mujinga’s death has raised some very serious and concerning questions regarding workplace safety and the UK justice system.

Firstly, Ms Mujinga was not provided with PPE by her employer Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). This is despite being a key worker throughout the peak of the COVID-19 crisis and her employer being aware of existing health conditions.

I have been calling for WHO standard PPE for all key workers since the beginning of this crisis. Following Ms Mujinga’s death I joined London MPs in re-establishing calls for PPE for all transport workers in a letter directly to the Prime Minister.

The letter, which you can read in full here, asks the Prime Minister:

“To ensure that transport operators have the requisite funds, and your Government’s support, to procure appropriate personal protective equipment to all public front facing staff.”

I have also written to Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to ask for reassurance that all staff will now be provided with this protective equipment.

Secondly, this incident raises serious issues with the justice system in England. Ms Mujinga’s case was closed with no consequences, British Transport Police said:

“there is no evidence to substantiate any criminal offences having taken place, and the tragic death of Belly Mujinga was not a consequence of this incident”.

Whilst investigations have concluded that the incident involving a man spitting at Ms Mujinga and a co-worker did not lead to her death, it is highly concerning that no further actions will be taken in regards to the assault on Ms Mujinga and the breaking of lockdown guidelines, which in itself puts key workers at risk. On June 2nd 2020, a man who spat at a police officer in Glasgow was jailed for a total of 12 months.

I have written to the British Transport Police to request more information regarding their investigations. The public must be assured that police are taking this crisis seriously and are holding those who threaten public health to account. Closing this investigation without a detailed public explanation sends a message that it is acceptable to act irresponsibly with complete disregard for the lives of those who have put themselves in harms way throughout this crisis.

Finally, the death of Ms Mujinga highlights the human impact of the racial inequalities highlighted throughout this crisis.

In London, more than a quarter of transport workers operating tubes and buses, which remained open during the lockdown and, 67% of the adult social care workforce are from BAME backgrounds.

It has been highlighted, since close to the beginning of this crisis, that BAME residents in the UK are up to twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than their white counterparts. Providing PPE is a necessary part of protecting BAME lives throughout this crisis and must be addressed as such.

Belly Mujinga leaves behind a husband and an 11 year old daughter. At least 33 transport workers have died in London throughout this crisis so far, each leaving behind friends and family.

I have also joined London MPs in calling on the Government to extend the Coronavirus life assurance lump sum scheme for the bereaved families of NHS workers to be extended to cover all transport workers who die from COVID-19.

 

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Abena Oppong-Asare MP urges people in Erith and Thamesmead to give safely to charities responding to Coronavirus pandemic

Abena Oppong-Asare MP joins the Charity Commission, the Fundraising Regulator, Action Fraud and Trading Standards in urging people to stay vigilant when giving to charity during the Coronavirus pandemic.
There has been an increase in reports of scammers targeting vulnerable people, for example posing as charity volunteers offering to help with shopping, offering fake virus testing, or claiming to be raising funds for charity. These scams are diverting vital funds away from the 265 genuine registered charities in Erith and Thamesmead and hundreds of national charities working hard to support the public at this time.

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead said:

“There are so many amazing charities supporting vulnerable people around Erith and Thamesmead during this crisis such as Greenwich Foodbank, Mind in Bexley, Solace and many more. It is concerning that scammers are using this pandemic as a means to target vulnerable people and take aid from those who are working flat out to help support our community.
Despite hearing reports of scams, I have heard many more stories of generosity and kindness throughout the community since this crisis began. From the person running a marathon in their back garden to the hundreds who have volunteered to help deliver essential items to vulnerable people.
I would like to thank and praise everyone that has pulled together to see us through these difficult times. If you are able to volunteer your time or donate to local support groups, I know this is very much needed as many services are over stretched right now. However, please read the recommendations of giving safely carefully and make sure your time and money goes to the right place.”

There are simple ways of making sure you give safely to registered charities:

  • Check the charity’s name and registration number at gov.uk/checkcharity. Most charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered.
  • Be wary of unsolicited emails from charities you have never heard of and be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them.
  • Exercise the same caution as with any other internet transaction, for example, to donate online, visit the charity’s own website and always type the website address into the browser yourself.
  • Ignore requests to donate through a money transfer company.
  • Finally, if in doubt about an approach, give to a charity that you have an existing relationship with.
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