People in Lambeth are calling on the Mayor of London to keep the borough's police stations open.

A petition signed by 770 local people was presented at last week’s Mayor Question Time at City Hall.

There are currently six police stations across Lambeth in Brixton, Cavendish Road, Clapham North, Clapham South, Gipsy Hill, Kennington and Streatham.

But people fear that Brixton could be the only police station to retain its front counter service, after the Metropolitan Police service revealed it needed to save £600million by 2014/15.

Presenting the petition, Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat Assembly Group, said: "Closing public access to so many police stations is a false economy. For some people travelling three or four miles is simply not possible.

"I am also deeply concerned that these proposals will prevent many people from reporting crime as they prefer to do this face to face."

Councillor for St Leonard’s ward Brian Palmer said: "Closing police station front counters in a borough with such a high crime rate is, frankly, criminal.

"Are people who have been attacked or mugged really expected to have to hop on a bus and travel miles merely to access police assistance?"

The Metropolitan Police held a public consultation about its police stations this summer and is now examining plans to close down 138 front counters across London.