It has only been closed a couple of years but already the former Hendon Police Station looks a state.

What used to be an attractive building and the crime-fighting hub of Brent Street is now itself the victim of crime.

Graffiti covers the doors and litter is scattered in its garden ,, which in the 1980s was impressive enough to win an award.

The 19th century building was sold at auction by the Met to investment company Twinsectra for £660,000 in June 1998. In July 1999 the company was granted planning permission to turn it into a nursing home.

Although it is not a listed building, Barnet Council agreed to the proposal on the grounds that its character and some of its features be retained.

But a year later nothing has been done and instead the three-storey building is becoming an eye-sore.

One resident said: 'It just looks horrible now. I can't believe it has been allowed to get that way with graffiti all over it.

'Who would have thought that our old police station would end up looking like that?'

According to Twinsectra's architects the building is still on target to become an elderly people's home.

They say that things have just been a little delayed.

And as for the graffiti and litter, it should all be disappearing soon. A spokesman said: 'Plans are still going ahead with the nursing home but it is impossible to tell when work will begin.'

cimpey@london.newsquest.co.uk