There are concerns the closure of a police station could lead to reduced community patrols in an area of high crime.

Senior officers have been accused of breaking a promise after it was announced that Waltham House station in KIrkdale Road, Leytonstone, which is used as a base by officers in the beat, will shutdown.

There is a large police base in nearby Hainault Road, but this is used by rapid response teams, rather than community officers.

And there are fears patrols could be scaled down in areas of south Leytonstone with high crime rates.

Cann Hall councillor Patrick Edwards said: “The decision is as shocking as it is inexplicable.

“This will create a north/south divide in policing in the borough. They are flying a white flag over Leytonstone for criminals.

“When they closed the station in Francis Road, there was a clear undertaking provided by the police that the station in Leytonstone would remain open. They have reneged on that promise. It’s a disgrace.”

Vice chairman of Cann Hall Safer Neighbourhood Watch Panel, Mike Bristow, said that there is a feeling of dismay amongst residents over the move.

He said: “Our local officers will have a significantly longer journey to our ward, reducing the amount of time they will spend on our patch.

“We found out a few days before our AGM at which it was confirmed by officers. It’s disgraceful.

“It’s not about having people to respond to crimes it is the patrols which prevent crimes that we will lose. It is the police on foot that we will lose. It will take them time to get here and that is less time spent deterring criminals.

“How are less mobile people supposed to get to their nearest station? We have no details at all about what will be put in place of the station.”

A date for the closure has not been revealed.

As well as the Hainault Road base in Leyton, Walthamstow is served by contact points in Forest Road and Lea Bridge Road, as well as an office in High Street.

The original police station in Forest Road was closed and sold following a fire.

Chingford police station, which was initially earmarked for closure, remains a 24-hour point of contact.

Last week it was announced that there were 72 unfilled vacancies on the force in the borough.

The Metropolitan Police have been asked to comment.