LEYTON and Walthamstow police stations could be closed as they are not "cost effective", under plans to be discussed at a public meeting on Wednesday.

The Met has published its Asset Management Plan (AMP) for Waltham Forest and there will now be a three-month consultation period in which the public can have its say.

The AMP sets out a broad strategy for policing in the borough for the next three years.

The plans include building a new custody suite in Hainualt Road, Leyton, splitting front counters so that reception, enforcement and victim-support services take place independently of each other and opening extra safer neighbourhood team bases in the borough.

The police are also looking at the possibility of closing the police stations in Francis Road, Leyton and Forest Road, Walthamstow, although no alternative premises or sites have yet been identified.

The AMP says: "Leyton and Walthamstow police stations were designed to meet policing requirements of a previous era.

"Built between 1892 and 1940, their interiors consist of narrow corridors, stairways and small rooms, not conducive to modern policing requirements.

"The infrastructure of the buildings can no longer support the latest IT and communications technologies vital to effective operational plicing in the 21st century and it is also very difficult to make them fully accessible.

"All of this means that the buildings are not cost effective for us to operate from."

"No police buidings in the borough will be closed until alternative and better-located facilities are up and running and without fully consulting the local community on our proposed changes."

Waltham Forest borough commander Chief Supt Mark Benbow will outline the plans at a public meeting on Wednesday at Leyton Cricket Pavilion, in Crawley Road.

The meeting begins at 7.30pm and will finish by 9pm.

To view the AMP and leave comments visit cms.met.police.uk/met/boroughs/waltham_forest/index A copy can also be requested by post. Call Claire Davies on 8345 3162.