Police stations may close to public

[MikeyT]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Police-stations-close-public/story-19386019-detail/story.html

 

Four police stations could be closed to the public and opening hours at 13 others cut under Leicestershire Police’s latest effort to slash its spending.

Leicestershire Police today released further details of a cost saving plan which was first reported by the Leicester Mercury earlier this month.

The force says it is considering closing public inquiry desks at four stations – Belgrave, Lutterworth, Syston and Blaby, which is based in the former Braunstone police station.

Opening hours at its remaining 13 stations could be reduced.

Members of the public visit the inquiry desks for a range of reasons such as to report a crime, answer bail, hand in some found property or to produce their motoring documents.

However, the force said today that fewer people are visiting the stations before because they now contact officers at community meetings, by appointment or via social media.

Some of its smaller stations, a recent survey by the force found, attract visitors at the rate of fewer than one an hour.

It believes the proposals could save up to £500,000 a year.

Some major stations are open to 9pm or 10pm, including weekends, while most of the smaller stations are open until 6pm Monday to Friday. Its smallest stations, including Lutterworth open between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

Councillor Stephen Hampson, town, borough and county councillor for Syston, said he had had no indication closing his local station's inquiry office was in the pipeline.

He said: “Maintaining the front inquiry desk at the police station is of paramount importance to the people of Syston.

“As long as there are police officers inside that station they should be prepared to man the front desk.â€

Geraldine Robinson, chairman of Harborough District Council and a town councillor in Lutterworth, said: “The police station in Lutterworth is hardly ever open, so I do wonder whether it would be a loss to the public.

“But if people did need to go to a police station the next one would Market Harborough and that is 14 miles away and that is a long way for some people particularly if they don’t have their own transport.

“If it is to close to the public is it essential the police officers themselves make sure they are easily accessible.â€

A source told the Mercury earlier this month: “Front inquiry offices are important and reducing the hours or closing any of them would not be popular with the public.â€

“There is also a concern that some of the analysis of use of the front inquiry desks was conducted during the Olympic Games, which was a relatively quiet and low crime period for us.â€

Market Harborough Neighbourhood member Marion Lewis told the Mercury earlier this month that the police proposals were “short-sightedâ€.

Chief Superintendent Chris Haward said today: “We are, like many businesses and organisations, in the unenviable position of having to make financial savings and all areas of our business are under scrutiny.

“We know members of the public like the reassurance of knowing they can walk into a police station.

“But, in reality fewer and fewer people are making use of this service and in the current world of financial constraints we have to be as efficient as possible.

“This review does not look at whether we should close police stations but simply focuses on the front counter service based on current demand and the need to improve efficiency and ensuring tax payers money is spent wisely and effectively.â€

The force currently has 90 neighbourhood offices in shared locations such as community centres and council buildings across the city and county.

The force has stressed that it is still reviewing the situation and that no changes would be brought in before April next year.

It hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies through voluntary redundancies or redeployment.

Public telephones which connect callers to the force’s call handlers at force headquarters are available outside all police stations.

[johnny the fox]

 

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Police-stations-close-public/story-19386019-detail/story.html

 

Four police stations could be closed to the public and opening hours at 13 others cut under Leicestershire Police’s latest effort to slash its spending.

Leicestershire Police today released further details of a cost saving plan which was first reported by the Leicester Mercury earlier this month.

The force says it is considering closing public inquiry desks at four stations – Belgrave, Lutterworth, Syston and Blaby, which is based in the former Braunstone police station.

Opening hours at its remaining 13 stations could be reduced.

Members of the public visit the inquiry desks for a range of reasons such as to report a crime, answer bail, hand in some found property or to produce their motoring documents.

However, the force said today that fewer people are visiting the stations before because they now contact officers at community meetings, by appointment or via social media.

Some of its smaller stations, a recent survey by the force found, attract visitors at the rate of fewer than one an hour.

It believes the proposals could save up to £500,000 a year.

Some major stations are open to 9pm or 10pm, including weekends, while most of the smaller stations are open until 6pm Monday to Friday. Its smallest stations, including Lutterworth open between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

Councillor Stephen Hampson, town, borough and county councillor for Syston, said he had had no indication closing his local station's inquiry office was in the pipeline.

He said: “Maintaining the front inquiry desk at the police station is of paramount importance to the people of Syston.

“As long as there are police officers inside that station they should be prepared to man the front desk.â€

Geraldine Robinson, chairman of Harborough District Council and a town councillor in Lutterworth, said: “The police station in Lutterworth is hardly ever open, so I do wonder whether it would be a loss to the public.

“But if people did need to go to a police station the next one would Market Harborough and that is 14 miles away and that is a long way for some people particularly if they don’t have their own transport.

“If it is to close to the public is it essential the police officers themselves make sure they are easily accessible.â€

A source told the Mercury earlier this month: “Front inquiry offices are important and reducing the hours or closing any of them would not be popular with the public.â€

“There is also a concern that some of the analysis of use of the front inquiry desks was conducted during the Olympic Games, which was a relatively quiet and low crime period for us.â€

Market Harborough Neighbourhood member Marion Lewis told the Mercury earlier this month that the police proposals were “short-sightedâ€.

Chief Superintendent Chris Haward said today: “We are, like many businesses and organisations, in the unenviable position of having to make financial savings and all areas of our business are under scrutiny.

“We know members of the public like the reassurance of knowing they can walk into a police station.

“But, in reality fewer and fewer people are making use of this service and in the current world of financial constraints we have to be as efficient as possible.

“This review does not look at whether we should close police stations but simply focuses on the front counter service based on current demand and the need to improve efficiency and ensuring tax payers money is spent wisely and effectively.â€

The force currently has 90 neighbourhood offices in shared locations such as community centres and council buildings across the city and county.

The force has stressed that it is still reviewing the situation and that no changes would be brought in before April next year.

It hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies through voluntary redundancies or redeployment.

Public telephones which connect callers to the force’s call handlers at force headquarters are available outside all police stations.

 

you could close the fookin lot, would anybody notice?  

[davieG]

If that's the only reason someone is at the station and are getting such low numbers then it seems logical to close them and just have free phone with text facilities outside. If they are in the building anyway performing other duties then I don't see what they are gaining by closing them as a simple desk based call system to get their attention would do.

[johnny the fox]

If that's the only reason someone is at the station and are getting such low numbers then it seems logical to close them and just have free phone with text facilities outside. If they are in the building anyway performing other duties then I don't see what they are gaining by closing them as a simple desk based call system to get their attention would do.

 

Last time I went into a station to report drug dealing, the desk sergeant kept me waiting  for 5 mins while he joked with somebody on his mobile.then he told me to contact crime stoppers. (which is a charity), which I did, they said to report it to the police. brilliant.

[Guest MattP]

Last time I went into a station to report drug dealing, the desk sergeant kept me waiting  for 5 mins while he joked with somebody on his mobile.then he told me to contact crime stoppers. (which is a charity), which I did, they said to report it to the police. brilliant.

 

 

The whole force has become a national joke anyway now. You can split them into snoopers and liars. I've had a couple of crimes on myself over the last few years and I don't even bother reporting it anymore, they don't want you too, they want figures that show crime is going down and there is no better way to achieve that by treating victims with such contempt they won't bother coming next time.

 

If the whole police force was abducted by aliens would anyone even notice?

[purpleronnie]

 

The whole force has become a national joke anyway now. You can split them into snoopers and liars. I've had a couple of crimes on myself over the last few years and I don't even bother reporting it anymore, they don't want you too, they want figures that show crime is going down and there is no better way to achieve that by treating victims with such contempt they won't bother coming next time.

 

If the whole police force was abducted by aliens would anyone even notice?

El Empty?

[ADK]

Might aswell close all the police stations really and make crime reporting online only.

 

I wouldn't report a crime unless i needed a crime number now. The police have never been helpful to me. The majority of crimes are unimportant to them. It would be a good way to save money. A much smaller force could handle the few crimes they actually want to investigate.

[johnny the fox]

 

The whole force has become a national joke anyway now. You can split them into snoopers and liars. I've had a couple of crimes on myself over the last few years and I don't even bother reporting it anymore, they don't want you too, they want figures that show crime is going down and there is no better way to achieve that by treating victims with such contempt they won't bother coming next time.

 

If the whole police force was abducted by aliens would anyone even notice?

 

It shows you how thick they are, they keep massaging the figures to look like crime is dropping year in year out and to make themselves look good. then the government slash their jobs and conditions and say we don't need so many because of it ,they really are turkeys voting for christmas.  serves the lazy bastards right.

[Dr The Singh]

I have to agree, the Police force is becomming abit of a farce....myself has lost all confidence in them!!

[Rincewind]

Makes sense. Less benefits for workers and non-workers, rise in zero hour and min wage contracts more people turning to crime. Solution Shut down police stations.

For the  record I don't have a magic solution. I am just saying what has been happening and how people that work within certain sectors have seen things change.

[Guest MattP]

Makes sense. Less benefits for workers and non-workers, rise in zero hour and min wage contracts more people turning to crime. Solution Shut down police stations.

For the  record I don't have a magic solution. I am just saying what has been happening and how people that work within certain sectors have seen things change.

 

Crime figures have been coming down for the last few years despite everyone saying 'more people are turning to crime'.

[ADK]

Yeah but that might be because people arnt reporting them, i have to say i'd be astounded if that had anything to do with the work of the police. Hopefully there is some positive cultural reason why people arnt committing crimes. I'm not sure unemployment and lower benefits will necessarily increase crime as you can be poor without being a criminal.

[davieG]

Who can you believe or trust to tell us the unbiased truth about anything these days? Maybe it's always been this way.

[Guest MattP]

Yeah but that might be because people arnt reporting them, i have to say i'd be astounded if that had anything to do with the work of the police. Hopefully there is some positive cultural reason why people arnt committing crimes. I'm not sure unemployment and lower benefits will necessarily increase crime as you can be poor without being a criminal.

 

Oh I have said that, people definately aren't reporting as much as they used to unless they need a crime number.

 

I was just replying to the usual drivel that not giving people free money will cause them to go out and commit crimes instead of trying to find work.

[Rincewind]

What about the majority that do work and cannot feed their children?

I'm not saying they will turn to crime but I have met people that advise families after seeing their wage fall and bills rise and cannot pay the mortgage.

Fact. More benefits are paid to low income familes than the unemployed.

[Guest MattP]

What about the majority that do work and cannot feed their children?

I'm not saying they will turn to crime but I have met people that advise families after seeing their wage fall and bills rise and cannot pay the mortgage.

Fact. More benefits are paid to low income familes than the unemployed.

 

No one in this country goes to work and cannot feed their children. If you have a case show me and I'll find something they can cut down on. You would defend Mick Philpott over the Tory Government.

 

Yes we know, more benefits are also paid to over 65's than anyone else, you have any idea why the general public don't resent pensioners? Want a clue?

[Bob Weasel Fox]

The few police officers I know do a really good job and are usually very helpful

[Strokes]

The few police officers I know do a really good job and are usually very helpful

I guess you don't know any then.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Coalvilles is always shut. Even if the front desk is ever actually open you can't walk in and report a minor crime. It's actually a massive police station too (after once spending a night there during my loose cannon year) certainly looks as big as loughboroughs from the outside

[The Year Of The Fox]

No one in this country goes to work and cannot feed their children. If you have a case show me and I'll find something they can cut down on. You would defend Mick Philpott over the Tory Government.

Yes we know, more benefits are also paid to over 65's than anyone else, you have any idea why the general public don't resent pensioners? Want a clue?

I often agree with what you say, but this? Resenting pensioners? I don't think so. I hold them in the highest regard of our society

[Jon the Hat]

I often agree with what you say, but this? Resenting pensioners? I don't think so. I hold them in the highest regard of our society

 

You have misread.  Matt is making the point that people don't resent "benefits" paid to pensioners, and I guess he thinks this is becuase the vast majority have paid into the system throughout their working lives.  Most people don't resent the payments to those in work either, although in my case I dont see the point of taxing people so you can give them half of it back again.  Pointless.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

I guess you don't know any then.

I know quite a few as my best mate works in the Police abd they seem sound to me

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Coalvilles is always shut. Even if the front desk is ever actually open you can't walk in and report a minor crime. It's actually a massive police station too (after once spending a night there during my loose cannon year) certainly looks as big as loughboroughs from the outside

It's not as big a station as Loughborough but I agre it is quite a big station

[Guest MattP]

You have misread.  Matt is making the point that people don't resent "benefits" paid to pensioners, and I guess he thinks this is becuase the vast majority have paid into the system throughout their working lives.  Most people don't resent the payments to those in work either, although in my case I dont see the point of taxing people so you can give them half of it back again.  Pointless.

 

[AyewJoking]

will this £500,000 saved be reflected in a decrease in council tax?