Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Closure of police stations leading to difficulties – claim
COST-CUTTING measures by police forces to shut stations and relocate officers to council-run buildings are creating difficulties, a regional policing representative has claimed.
Mark Andrews, chairman of Wiltshire Police Federation, said the ‘operational side of policing is getting forgotten’ when bosses move officers in with council workers.
His comments come as Wiltshire Police announced Marlborough Police Station is to close in the spring, with officers being relocated to a ‘touchdown point’ at the council-owned Corner House in the town.
The force says the move will save £60,000 a year and the new site will include a toilet, kitchen and rest area for officers along with an interview room and part-time counter.
Recent investment in technology enabling officers to work more remotely means they no longer need to return to a police for paperwork, said Wiltshire East Inspector Chris Martin.
In Wiltshire, officers also share locations in Chippenham and Salisbury with local councils. In Avon & Somerset, Wells Police Station is closing, with officers being moved to the city’s fire station, while Bath officers are based in a council building.
Last year, Cheddar Police Station closed and officers moved to Kings of Wessex School, while in 2017 officers were also relocated from stations in Nailsea and Ilminster to buildings shared with agencies.
Mr Andrews said: “[The closure of Marlborough Police Station] is not something we would welcome because we are having difficulties with police officers sharing sites with councils which are not suitable.
“They lack interview rooms, capacity for car parking and needed security.
“We understand there needs to be cost savings, but sometimes the operational side of police is getting forgotten.”
He added: “It is important we function efficiently but I don’t believe we are doing that in shared premises we have.”
Mr Andrews said he was raising concerns from officers with force bosses, but accepts once a station was closed it would be hard to return due to financial constraints.
Wiltshire Police needs to find almost £1m of savings in the next financial year. It is considering raising its council tax precept by 13.2 per cent, up £24 for a Band D household.
A spokesman for the force said: “We now have the technology to allow officers and staff to sit in public spaces and be more visible and accessible. We are more responsive, more mobile, more visible, and easier to engage with.”
On the closure of Marlborough Police Station, Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “It is important to emphasise that there would be no change in the service that the people of Marlborough receive from the force. It would be business as usual.”
“The move to the Corner House would save the force net revenue costs of approximately £60,000 a year”
Wiltshire East Inspector Chris Martin said: “Officers and staff no longer need to return to a police station to do paperwork.
“They can now do that, and more, whilst out and about, thanks to a major investment in mobile technology.”
Remaining police stations with front counters in Wiltshire are in Trowbridge, Swindon, Salisbury, Melksham and Chippenham.