THE oldest working police station in London is to be sold after senior cops decided today (January 21) to close the historic building.

Penge police station was built in 1872 in the face of rising crime but the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) decided to close it as part of its modernisation programme across Bromley borough.

Bromley police station, built in 2003, is the last of its kind left in the borough left after the decision to close the Penge building.

More modern safer neighbourhood offices are the preferred choice for the Met as it continues to modernise and streamline its services.

The public counter at the soon-to-be-closed station in Penge High Street will moved to the Penge and Cator and Crystal Palace safer neighbourhood base, known as Copperfield House in nearby Maple Road.

Unlike Penge station, Copperfield House can be used by disabled visitors.

An MPA report into the closure says: “The borough commander has engaged with the local community and they are in favour of the transfer of front counter facilities.”

There are now 14 safer neighbourhood offices in the borough.

The Bromley Borough Operational Command Unit will keep a small unit at Penge police station for security while the building is on the market to be sold.

The sale is part of the final stage in the Met’s modernisation programme in Bromley borough, which started in 2000.

Beckenham police station was closed in late 2007, and has since been sold.

New front counter facilities in Copperfield House will be open to the public from 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday - the same hours Penge police station currently operates.

Bromley police's PFI-financed station in Bromley High Street is open 24 hours a day.