Fed-up protester, 44, smokes a 'giant spliff' outside a police station in one-man demonstration over rising crime and fewer officers on the streets Courtney Barrett stood outside his local police station in Walthamstow, London He claims to have been there all day without a single police officer passing by 44-year-old complained he is paying council tax for 'non-existent police' By Lara Keay For Mailonline Published: 15:00 BST, 1 April 2019 | Updated: 15:00 BST, 1 April 2019 Viewcomments One man was so fed up with the state of policing in his area that he 'smoked a giant spliff' outside his local station in protest. Courtney Barrett, 44, decided to stand outside his nearest Met Police safer neighbourhood centre smoking cannabis because he 'knew he wouldn't get arrested'. He claims he was outside the shop in Walthamstow, east London for an entire day without seeing a police officer. Sick of police budget cuts he posted a picture of himself on social media, with the caption: 'WHERE ARE THE POLICE NOWADAYS???? Courtney Barrett, 44, decided to stand outside his nearest Met Police safer neighbourhood centre in Walthamstow, east London smoking cannabis because he 'knew he wouldn't get arrested' 'I went down Walthamstow Market yesterday and didn't see 1 police officer all day even tho the market was pretty packed. 'Anyone can commit crime and just walk off coz there aren't any police....and I find it very worrying, as well as being a liberty, coz we all pay our council tax to pay for these non existent police.' 'So to prove my point I stood outside their building and smoked a fat spliff......but still no police to be seen anywhere! 'So with everything that's been going on lately, stabbings, mass brawls, and whatever other crimes have been committed, the police obviously couldn't give a s***! 'Coz surely there should be some kind of police presence in the market and surrounding streets.' The safer neighbourhood centre in Walthamstow Market used to be a police station but the front counter where crimes are reported was closed in 2017. Sadiq Khan announced the closure of all but one police station per London borough in 2017. The Met Police say the closures are to be able to save £400million by 2021. Sick of police budget cuts Mr Barrett (pictured) posted a picture of himself on social media, with the caption: 'WHERE ARE THE POLICE NOWADAYS????' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility