Another fire, evidence in jeopardy!

March 11th, 2024

Policing operations in the London borough of Newham will be "unaffected" despite a fire at a police station yesterday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Around 175 firefighters and 30 fire engines tackled the blaze at Forest Gate police station on Romford Road on Wednesday.

Emergency services were called just after 4.15pm and firefighters from Stratford, Leytonstone, Plaistow and surrounding fire stations all attended.

The station roof was completely destroyed by the fire, which crews had under control shortly after 11pm, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

In a statement on Thursday, Dan Card, acting Met borough commander for Newham, thanked the LFB for their efforts and local residents for their cooperation.

He said the the state of evidence held at the station that was potentially damaged was being assessed.

Police officers' personal goods were damaged and lost, including wedding rings and car keys, the borough commander said.

He said: "Please be assured that despite the fire, our ability to deliver policing to the residents of Newham is unaffected.

"Our local teams will continue to serve the community in the normal way. There will be no reduction in the service we deliver."

Mr Card said officers based at Forest Gate police station had been diverted to work in other buildings across the borough.

Evidence lockers and fridges containing priority forensic examples were removed by officers and the LFB and will be assessed in the coming days.

Anyone due to return to the station on bail will be contacted and informed of alternative arrangements, he said.

The officer added: "In the initial stages of the fire my officers helped evacuate the building, leaving their kit and personal possessions behind in order to ensure that nobody was left inside. Despite having lost personal items in the fire, such as wedding rings and car keys, they went on to work beyond their shifts to support the emergency response and the relocation of our teams to other police stations. We continue to check on their welfare."We have a well-rehearsed continuity plan in place for incidents such as this and overnight we saw an impressive response from our colleagues providing support services and replacement equipment.

"Officers and staff that were based at Forest Gate have been diverted to work from other buildings in Newham and additional resources have been made available to support us as we transition to our various new locations.

"The replacement of uniform and equipment began overnight and this will continue in the coming days.

"Thanks to the fast work of officers and fire-fighters at the scene, police vehicles were removed from the rear yard at Forest Gate and they continue to be in operational service.

"We are in close contact with our Met Detention colleagues and can confirm that there has been no impact on the availability of police cells for Newham."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.