London's oldest police station to close

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Penge police station, which opened in 1872 in response to church concerns over rising crime, will close as part of a modernisation programme.

The Metropolitan Police Authority is replacing expensive and inefficient police stations with shopfront offices. The police operations in Penge, Bromley, will move to a new site nearby.

Bromley borough commander Charles Griggs admitted it was a shame to lose landmark sites, but said the inside of the building remained stuck in the 1870s.

"The police station itself is very expensive to the Metropolitan Police to keep it open and to keep it going.

"We are now in the position where Bromley borough is almost 100% match fit, with its estate being totally modernised and Penge is the last old police station."

Graham Speed, who leads the MPA's estate strategy, said closing police stations was "emotive".

"The Bromley estate is now almost totally modernised. We would very much like to be in a position to say that statement across all the boroughs. It will be some time until we get there but we are working on it."