Station closures to pay for 200 extra police

Dec 9 2009 By Rupert Basham

Cobham police Station

SURREY Police hopes to pay for 200 more frontline officers in part by axing it aging police stations.

Replacing old stations with 'better ways to meet the public' they say, will cut the cost of running old buildings by millions. Only 26 of Surrey's 40 stations are used by members of the public and only four, including Cobham and Molesey are manned by volunteers.

Chief constable Mark Rowley has said there will be no changes made until better locations have been sought. Even though it is too early to say which stations may close Elmbridge Inspector Richard Haycock remains positive.

He said: "Although it will be a significant change it could be highly advantageous in terms of neighbourhood policing. The problem that will face Walton Station is that it's central in terms of neighbourhood policing, however if there was another location in the town where officers can effectively work, that too is an avenue that needs to be explored.

"We have to question whether we want more coppers on the street or money for a building. It's about making the best use of public funds."

Plans include closing Esher, and transferring all 999 calls to a central hub in Staines and closing smaller stations while moving neighbourhood policing teams to either the civic centre in Esher, shopping centres, libraries and other partnership buildings.

Cobham Police Station has 28 volunteers who carry out a number of important jobs including coordinating Neighbourhood Watch, and Speedwatch schemes.

Former volunteer coordinator, Hazel Banting, who was among those who opened the police station in Walton Road, East Molesey, on December 8, 1998, said: "A police station is not a privilege it is essential. Closing stations will surely invite the criminals in."

She added: "I want 25,000 residents of West and East Molesey to have a police station. I understand police have to make cut backs but they are forgetting if they go to another building they will have to pay someone rent and make sure all the sensitive information is locked up. Closing Molesey police station would be a catastrophe."

Ken Purssey, who volunteers at Cobham Police Station, said: "We must retain our police station presence in the community. They should stop selling off the family silver. What's next?"

Tory parliamentary candidate for Esher & Walton, Dominic Raab, met volunteers at Cobham on Saturday (December 5). He said: "Real term funding for the force has been cut by 40% since 1997. The volunteers are an inspiring testament to the strong civic pride and community spirit we have in Elmbridge – which I will do everything I can to support."

The proposals to close police stations are just one of many that will be discussed at a meeting today (Thursday December 10) by Surrey Police Authority.

Should Surrey Police keep their police stations open, or is it a fair price to pay for more bobbies on the beat? Have your say below.