THE front counters at all the market town police stations in Herefordshire are
to close next month, including in Ledbury Station, off the Worcester Road.
West Mercia Police has confirmed the desks at Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross on-Wye will be removed from the beginning of September and replaced with an intercom system, connecting the public to a "call-taker"
For Ledbury Town Councillor and trader, Annette Crowe, who has been instrumental in re-establishing regular PACT meetings in Ledbury, the decision sends out "the wrong signal".
She said: "It is extremely disappointing. Elderly people, for instance, are not happy talking to an intercom and if something has happened to upset them, they need the personal contact."
Ledbury Town Councillor Martin Eager believes the changes will not matter, because the existing service is so "diabolical".
He said: "This won't make any difference. I've been up there several times, when my car has been vandalised, or because of an accident, and it hasn't been open.
"You ring the bell and sometimes someone will see you; but there is no proper counter service. The service we are about to get will be no better or worse than the one we've had for several years, - diabolical."
The force says the move is part of a “more modern and effective way” of operating
its services.
“I was involved in keeping
these stations open,” said
Bernard Hunt, a town councillor
in Bromyard.
“It is a sad reflection
of how these cost-cutting
measures have been
brought in.
“I think it proves theorth of the outgoing police
authority and shows
the next to useless role of
the police commissioner.”
Bill Longmore, the police
and crime commissioner
for West Mercia, said he
was keen to keep police officers
accessible to people.
“We are currently exploring
opportunities to share
resources such as front
counters with partners
wherever possible,” he
added. “Strengthening the
police’s relationships with
people is important and I
hope that these changes
will give people a wider opportunity
to connect with
them should they need to.”
Police bosses say they
have seen the number of
people using front desks
drop recently.
“Our review will close
some public counters
across West Mercia but our
analysis of demand has
provided evidence which
has allowed us to take these
steps without impacting
the level of service,” added
chief superintendent
Amanda Blakeman, who
led a review into “public
contact and front counter
provision” which prompted
the decision.
“There are a range of
methods for public contact
and service including calling
101, the introduction of
24/7 contact points at stations
to connect callers to
the police, 115 Safer Neighbourhood
Teams, monthly
community meetings and
drop-in surgeries.”
The police say areas where
front counters close will
see Safer Neighbourhood
Teams step up patrols as
well as increasing community
meetings and forums.
Hereford’s front desk at
the station on Bath Street
will remain open from 8am-
8pm six days a week and
10am-4pm on Sunday and
bank holidays.
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