Police station is set for town hall
WORK is now under way to open a community police station in Maghull. The new station, the second to be given the go-ahead in Sefton after Ainsdale, will be located in Maghull Town Hall after planning permission for alterations to the property was granted.
The proposal to co-locate the new facility in the town hall on Westway was first suggested to Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, by council leaders during the initial consultation over her 10-year plan to modernise the force’s stations and buildings.
Work to convert the space in the town hall got under way on Monday (September 4) and it is hoped the new hub will be ready to open its doors within two months.
Community police stations are designed to be accessible, visible centres which are sited with partners in busy neighbourhood hubs which are already well-used by the communities they serve.
They are a key part of the plan of the PCC’s strategy to transform Merseyside’s police stations with the aim of saving money on running costs which can be redirected straight into frontline policing.
Ms Kennedy said: “I am delighted that just a few weeks after plans to open a community police station in Ainsdale were given the green light, we are now in a position to get work under way to open... in Maghull.
“I’m very grateful to Maghull town council for so enthusiastically engaging with the plans to make Merseyside police more accessible and for helping this new station to become a reality. It is a real example of what can be achieved in partnership for the benefit of our communities.
“Maghull Town Hall is an excellent location. It is centrally located and will see the policing team colocated with councillors, council workers and a host of voluntary groups which serve the community.
“This new station will put the neighbourhood team right at the heart of the community in a busy location which is well used by the community and which has been recommended by local councillors.
“The chief constable and I want officers to be visible and accessible to local people. It’s what people tell me all the time when I attend events and meet the public. I hope this new community police station will be a really valuable community asset when it opens its doors.”
The commissioner believes that by replacing “inefficient and expensive old police stations” with community stations, she will be able to reduce the annual running costs of Merseyside police’s estate by approximately £2.5m per year, protecting the jobs of 65 officers.
Deputy Leader of Maghull town council Cllr John Sayers said: “The re-establishment of a police presence in Maghull is very important and, by co-location of our new station with the town hall, will enable even closer co-operation and working with the council to deal with anti-social behaviour and crime.”