Police base returns to town after 11 years
A NEW neighbourhood police office has opened in a town centre to ensure officers are based in the heart of their beat.
It was officially opened at The Pavilion in Lutterworth by the town mayor, David Jones, the neighbourhood policing commander for Harborough and Wigston, Inspector Liz Perry, and Chief Inspector Lindsey Madeley-Harland.
At a community meeting last summer, chaired by Inspector Perry, residents and members of Lutterworth Town Council raised their concerns about not having a police presence based in the town since the police station closed in 2013.
Acting on their feedback, the police worked with Lutterworth Town Council to find a suitable location and, as a result, a police office has now opened in The Pavilion, in Coventry Road, which is known for its community centred approach.
It will be a perfect local base for officers and means they can start and finish their shift in Lutterworth without having to travel to and from Market Harborough.
It will not be open to members of the public at the moment, but an online appointment booking system is being looked into.
The office will also be utilised by response officers, meaning it will be in daily use.
Officers who will be using the new facility include Sergeant Davies, Pc Breslin, Pc Day, Pcso Caswell-Jones and Pcso Adams.
Inspector Perry said: “At the meeting in July last year, the community asked for the return of a policing base in the town.
“I listened to those views and worked with Lutterworth Town Council to see what we could do.
“Thanks to lots of hard work and support, we now have a new office in The Pavilion right in the middle of Lutterworth, allowing my officers a more visible presence in the town. It is great news for everyone.”