Thousands of people have now backed the petition to save Bexleyheath police station from being sold off ahead of a safer neighbourhood meeting next week.

The petition, started by Bexley Safer Neighbourhood Board just two weeks ago, has been signed by more than two thousand people.

Plans proposed by Sadiq Khan would see the station sold off to fund frontline improvements, with services moved to Marlowe House in Sidcup, which is currently used as a daytime facility.

According to Sadiq Khan, the Met faces £400m of cuts by 2021 as a result of the Government’s “failure to properly fund the police service”.

David Evennett, the MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, has responded to the consultation launched by the Mayor’s office for policing and crime.

He said: “A move of the front counter services and the Police HQ to Sidcup would be highly inconvenient and I also believe response times in areas of my constituency would be negatively affected, including Bexleyheath, Crayford, Erith, Slade Green, and Welling.

“I urge Bexley residents to respond to this consultation and to oppose the reckless and unacceptable proposals put forward by the Labour Mayor of London.”

More than 2,400 people had backed the petition at the time of writing and Dana Wiffen, chair of Bexley Neighbourhood Watch Association, has urged members of the neighbourhood watch to attend a meeting at the council’s offices on September 7 which will also be attended by a representitive of the Mayor's of London.

He said to News Shopper: "We are aiming for at least 10,000 signatures. Closing the police station would mean that some residents who aren't computer savvy might be punished,and they would be the ones who are the most worried about crime.

"The transport to Sidcup makes things harder as well. It is not as central, if you live in Erith say it is easier to get to Bexleyheath.

"People need to sign the petition and read the consultation carefully before responding.

Sadiq Khan said: “The huge Government cuts to the Metropolitan Police Service mean we simply have no choice but to take measures like consulting on closing half of the front counters at police stations in London.”

A online reporting service launched for testing in March. Introduced by the Mayor of London , has delivered a 350 per cent rise in online reporting, with 1,200 reports a week made during its initial phase.

Comments left by backers of the petition said: “Local police presence is vital for our community”.

“We need this in our town.”

Bexley Council have encouraged residents to take part in the mayor’s consultation which can be found here.

The petition can be found here and paper copies can be requested from Bexley Neighbourhood Watch.