The sale of Wimbledon Police Station could raise up to £10 million and save a further £500,000 per year in running costs.

The figures have come to light in an update posted by Merton Police Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Wallace, in which he says the revenue “partly explains the thinking” of plans put forward by Mayor of London’s Office to transfer operations to Mitcham station.

Chief Supt Wallace also promised to keep residents informed about proposals to merge police teams in the boroughs of Wandsworth, Richmond, Merton and Kingston into one large south-west borough command unit.

But he said: “With £440M more to save the options are limited. The uncertainty, challenges and changes will test everyone – including of course my staff - but remember none of us asked for this and it is a harsh financial reality. As I have said before to my teams with a wry smile 'ride the wave of change or be crushed beneath it!'"

Last week Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis wrote a letter to home secretary Amber Rudd and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to demand a halt to the proposed closure of Wimbledon Station, on Queens Road.

He said: “Closing Wimbledon Police Station - a much-used station where crime and anti-social behaviour related to the night time economy- is an issue.

“Additionally, the annual Wimbledon Tennis Championships the population doubles and it requires a significant police presence and relies on a nearby police station for processing of crimes. It is important both police stations at Wimbledon and Mitcham are retained.”

The results of the consultation into the closure of Wimbledon Police station, Carried out by MOPAC (Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime) are pending.