Shock numbers reveal rise in station closures
MORE than 600 police stations have closed in eight years, some in city centres, shocking figures reveal.
Amid growing threats from terrorism, cyber crime and child sexual exploitation some forces have shut more than half their stations with a result of worsening responses.
London has lost 100 stations and the number of “significant” calls where police failed to respond within an hour tripled from 61,602 to 172,847 in the three years to April last year.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Closing police stations is the stark reality of crippling government cuts. The Government has cut policing to the bone.”
Since 2016, Bath, Somerset, has no dedicated station with a front desk, cells and response officers.
Residents in St Albans, Herts, are directed outside the Civic Centre to a “free telephone to the control room”. Police Federation chairman John Apter said: “Police stations in town centres provide a visible reassurance. One has to question the decision to withdraw visible policing.”
In Gloucestershire, 21 of the 28 police stations have closed since 2010, according to police figures.
Last week, it emerged a third of bobbies on the beat had been axed, with many being reassigned to 999 response or back-office roles.
Police chiefs said yesterday they will press the Government for more cash in the next spending review.
Last night, the Home Office said: “Police have the resources they need.
“We provided a settlement that is increasing total investment by over £460million, including increased funding for local policing through council tax precept.”