AS 600 ARE SOLD OFF, THE COP SHOPS WHERE PINTS ARE SERVED, NOT JUSTICE

James Murray

THEY used to be unshakeable pillars of the community, solid buildings at the heart of our towns and cities, drawing respect from law-abiding residents and criminals alike. Now huge numbers of police stations have vanished from the areas they used to protect - to the delight of petty crooks and gangsters.

More than 600 police stations have closed since 2010, slicing the thin blue line protecting Britain into ribbons. And the closures have fed the perception that creeping lawlessness is destroying the fabric of society.

What greater symbol could there be for that than the cannabis farm found at an old police station in Oldham Road, Failsworth, Greater Manchester?

The building was auctioned off six years ago because of police budget cuts. And surprise, surprise, no one has yet been arrested for turning it into a drugs factory. Hundreds more former police stations sold off to make a quick buck are being converted into legitimate businesses.

Guests at the Courthouse Hotel in London’s trendy Shoreditch pay handsomely to stay in the Grade II-listed baroque building where the likes of Ronnie and Reggie Kray once cooled their heels for free.

Old Street police station and courthouse now offers tourists afternoon tea in its jailhouse bar, but residents worried by rising crime would probably prefer to have their cop shop back. At the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Wetherspoon customers now enjoy their pints in what was the local court and police station, in use until 2000.

A cell has become a snug for six drinkers and people can even stand in the dock to sup their favourite drinks.

Locals fought a determined campaign to try to stop the closure. Former Keswick magistrate Martin Jordan said at the time: “The closure of this court will not save money, nor will it improve efficiency.” Yet another case of justice not being served.

In Avon and Somerset, the police force has been hit hard by a spate of cost-cutting measures. No wonder a prime property like Manvers Street Police Station in the beautiful, and very expensive, city of Bath was sold off. It went for £7 million in 2014 and shut the following year.

Meanwhile, Bath police admit gangs of organised drug dealers are moving in on parts of the city.