CONCERN has intensified over the future of Woodford Police Station after a plan has emerged to move vital communication equipment from its roof.

Many fear the High Road station's days could be numbered as the cash-strapped Met reviews the future of its buildings.

Notices have been placed in the area detailing a plan to move antennae necessary to access the emergency services' network to Woodford Fire Station in Snakes Lane West.

A spokesman for Airwave Solutions, which provides the network, said: "Normally we are asked to move due to the closure of a building."

Redbridge Police denied the station was closing and said the equipment was being moved to improve coverage.

However, Borough Commander Sue Williams has failed to give any assurances over the station's long term future while the cost-cutting review is ongoing.

Woodford Bridge ward councillor Paul Canal said: "I feel the proposal to move the communications equipment is of grave concern.

"I will be writing to the Borough Commander and Metropolitan Police Authority to seek assurance that there are no plans to close an essential community resource at a time of rising crime."

Geoff Stimpson, a former police officer and member of Woodford Green Amenity Society, said he feared the move could spell the beginning of the end for the station.

He said: "It would make no sense for them to move the equipment just down the road onto the fire station to get better coverage unless the police station was to close. Moving the equipment does point in that direction.

"You cannot provide adequate protection for the community and police cannot do their job if they are not based in the area and I do not see how they can police Woodford from Barkingside or Ilford."

Jill Rogers, of Chelmsford and Derby Road Neighbourhood Watch Team, said: "Obviously people will be really upset if the police station is to close.

"When they looked at it before, it was decided the move would detract from policing effectively.

"It is really upsetting to think they will go ahead and close it despite views from the community."

The equipment is set to be moved by November, pending the outcome of a planning application.