The Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, has intervened to stop the sale of properties in 17-39 Broadmead on Auriol Road in Hammersmith and ensure residents can remain in their homes.

The Deputy Mayor visited Broadmead today at the invitation of local Conservative Party Parliamentary candidate Cllr Charlie Dewhirst to speak with local councillors, Joe Carlebach and Caroline ffiske, and residents who faced the prospect of eviction from their properties, managed by Crown Simmons.

The Deputy Mayor has today signed a formal decision to halt the sale process and has introduced new guidelines for how such cases are handled in future.

Under the new MOPAC guidance, existing tenanted properties comprising multiple units will only be disposed without affecting existing tenancies to a new owner – such as a housing provider or local authority – who offered the occupants similar or better terms. This now means such residents would not be forced to move out as a result of a sale.

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) owns the MPS estate across London and the Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime (DMPC) is responsible for decisions around estate changes, closures and disposals. The Property Services Department of the MPS handles all sale, marketing and tenancy matters directly themselves or with estate agents, local authorities and housing providers.

Commenting on the decision, Stephen Greenhalgh said:

“I have stopped the sale process for Broadmead and introduced a new approach so that eviction of long-standing tenants, some of whom are key workers, cannot arise in future. The Metropolitan Police is not a landlord, but it is right that we find new owners for sites like this that can give tenants the security they deserve.

“I am grateful to Charlie and the local councillors for bringing this matter to my attention and I am glad that these residents are no longer left in limbo.”

Cllr Charlie Dewhirst added:

“It will come as a great relief to the residents of Broadmead that they no longer face eviction from their homes. I am hugely thankful to Stephen Greenhalgh for his swift and decisive intervention.”