Cost-cutting cops close public counters

Police forces across the north of England have closed scores of public counters as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

A Sunday Post probe has revealed that, in the past five years, more than 90 station front desks have either been closed or had staffing hours reduced.

Victims are being encouraged to phone in crime reports while members of the public who want to speak to officers face-to-face are being told to meet them in local authority buildings and even supermarkets.

Senior officers insist the closures will save millions as forces nationwide struggle to balance their books.

But the approach has been heavily criticised by frontline officers. Steve White, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said: “There are concerns over the closure of local police stations.

“We appreciate the funding challenges many forces are facing but this is a key issue people prefer to report crimes in person and many like to know there is a safe haven in their local area. Modern policing is focused on being an integral part of the community but if officers are only ever despatched from a central location how can regular interaction with local people happen?

Under Freedom of Information laws we asked 11 forces in the north of England whether they had closed front counters to the public or reduced opening hours. Some revealed that stations had been sold, front desks closed and manning hours slashed. Others, including Northumbria Police, said there had been no closures and no reduction in hours in the past five years.

North Yorkshire Police have closed two stations and reduced the opening hours of 10 more to save £1.3 million. Police chiefs in Greater Manchester shut 32 public counters.

Durham Constabulary reduced staffing levels at a dozen front desks by a total of 55 hours a week, to save about £200,000. The force’s website urges people to report crime by phone, by text or online. Lancashire Constabulary shut seven counters in June. Another 10 local stations remain bases for “operational policing” but aren’t open to the public.

The closures saved the force £886,000 a year and generated £4.5 million in one-off sales. Meanwhile Merseyside police saved £1.94 million by closing 22 front desks in January last year. Cleveland Police cut staff availability at four front desk counters but increased hours at two other police stations.

Cumbria Police failed to provide any information. However, in April, they announced front desk services at six police stations would be axed and four others would operate part-time.

Down south, Bedfordshire Crime Commissioner Olly Martins has admitted he is considering closing police stations to save cash and moving officers into shops. He added: “It may be that a police station will work better as part of a supermarket.”

Labour’s shadow policing minister, Jack Dromey, said: “The public want bobbies on the beat and neighbourhood police stations they can visit when they need help.

“Of course it is right that police forces change with the times but under this Government, the thin blue line is being stretched ever thinner.”