Calls for ‘proper’ police station back in the city
MP criticises decision to reduce police opening hours at One Stop Shop
Wera Hobhouse has slammed the decision to reduce the police presence in Bath, describing it as “an insult” to the city. Avon and Somerset Constabulary has announced that its point of contact in the One Stop Shop on Manvers Street, Bath, which is currently open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, will be cutting its hours. The doors to the enquiry centre will be closed on weekends and now open from 10am until 6pm Monday to Friday from September 3. The Liberal Democrat MP has voiced her displeasure at the changes, and called for a centrally located station in Bath. She said: “At a time when we are seeing huge rises in crime, it does not seem right to be further cutting services from the city. The police need a proper station back in Bath as soon as possible. It’s an insult to our city that we don’t have one.” She added: “We are now facing proposals to reduce the number of hours the [police desk at the] One Stop Shop is open, and to completely close it over the weekend. “This is absurd given the evidence of what’s happening in Bath. “Neighbourhood Watches have been reporting more break ins, and more robberies. “I’ve also been hearing reports of residents and visitors being repeatedly subjected to aggressive begging, witnessing open drug taking on our streets and even violent crime. “Criminals are feeling brazen enough to fight one another with machetes in the middle of the city. “It’s a very dangerous state of affairs.” The cuts are to make “significant savings” and reflect “low footfall”, a police spokesman said. Avon and Somerset Police announced the changes following a review of the police service across the force area. The opening hours of the Keynsham enquiry office will stay the same as a result of the review. The office in Radstock will no longer open on Saturdays, but will open an extra day during the week. Robberies, sexual offences and violence against person crimes all increased during 2017, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this year.