Police front counters facing axe
Enquiry desk could go just months after opening
ACCRINGTON’S new town centre police station front counter could be at risk of closure – just six months after opening.
Police chiefs say that the future of all front counters across the county – including those in Accrington and Great Harwood – are under review as part of plans to make a further £18 million in cuts.
If the public enquiry desks on Broadway, Accrington and Great Harwood were to close, residents would then have to travel to the nearest front counter in Whitebirk to speak face-to-face with officers or present documents.
The Observer has reported in recent weeks how residents and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned over a rise in burglaries, shoplifting and gun crime.
Police chiefs insist any buildings affected would stay open as ‘stations’, as officers would still use them as a base even if the public counter is shut.
Council leader Miles Parkinson said the continued police funding cuts are ‘extremely worrying’ and it was ‘important’ for Hyndburn’s police counters to remain open.
He said: “It’s a major concern and people need to have the ability to go into an environment where they can speak to the police.
“It was very important that the new station was opened to engage with the public and it’s important it remains there.”
JON MACPHERSON
ACCRINGTON’S new town centre police station front counter could be at risk of closure – just months after a £500,000 move.
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed that all county front counters, including Accrington and Great Harwood, are being reviewed as part of plans to make a further £18 million in cuts by 2020.
Bosses say no decision has been made but a ‘proposal will be developed for public consultation’.
If the public-facing counters on Broadway, Accrington and Great Harwood were to close, residents would then have to travel to the nearest front counter in Whitebirk to speak face to face to officers or present documents.
The Observer has reported in recent weeks how residents and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned over a rise in burglaries, shoplifting and gun crime.
Police chiefs insist any buildings affected would stay open as ‘stations’, as officers would still use them as a base even if the public counter is shut.
Accrington’s new town centre front counter opened in September 2016, making it more accessible to residents, and councillor Tony Dobson has warned there would be a ‘major outcry’ if it closes.
He said: “Wherever possible, front facing customer service should be maintained and enhanced like officers on the ground and the ability to contact police as and when needed.”
Rachel Baines, Lancashire branch chair of the Police Federation, said the force has lost more than 900 police officers and 500 staff in recent years and further budget cuts mean the ‘closure of front counters, less police officers and less visibility’.
She said: “To me the police stations are iconic in the community for people to connect with and gives them a perception and feeling of safety.
“It’s very sad because quite often front counters are the first face-to-face contact they ever have with the police and it would be a shame to lose that.”
Council leader Miles Parkinson said the continued police funding cuts are ‘extremely worrying’ and it was ‘important’ for Hyndburn’s police counters to remain open.
He said: “It’s a major concern and people need to have the ability to go into an environment where they can speak to the police.
“It was very important that the new station was opened to engage with the public and it’s important it remains there.”
Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said the government’s police cuts have gone ‘too far’ but believes Accrington’s police counter will stay ‘unless something dramatic changes’.