No support for police relocation

Concerns remain about the future of Southwell Police Station.

Nottinghamshire Police is looking to sell-off property and stop leasing buildings as part of huge budget cuts.

They hope to relocate police teams to rooms owned by town and parish councils or empty shops where they can get reduced rents.

Southwell Police Station is owned by the town council and leased to the police.

At a meeting of the town council last week, a councillor and chairman of Southwell Safer Neighbourhood Group, Mr Peter Harris, said Southwell’s police inspector, Inspector Andy Gan, thought the closure of the Southwell station was possible and Chief Inspector Paul Murphy believed it was probable.

Mr Harris said: “The police are unlikely to find a suitable replacement for the sort of facilities they have got here.”

He believed the police would be looking for a free location, which could be difficult to find.

Mr Roger Dobson said talk of the police moving was speculation.

Mr John Robinson suggested the town council reduced the rent for the building to encourage the police to stay.

He said: “I think residents would prefer the money came out of the council precept rather than losing the police.”

Mr Andy Gregory said that would mean residents paying twice for the police through their council tax.

He said: “It is not desirable paying the town council tax and paying the police authority but I agree it is a priority for residents and we should do as much as we can to keep the police here.”

Mr Peter Pay thought buying the police station was one of the best decisions the council had made.

He said: “From the reliable sources I have, there is no suggestion it is going to close.”

The first stage of a review, in which 12 stations were recommended for decommissioning, was due to be ratified by the Police Authority yesterday.

Southwell was not among the stations recommended for closure, but the review is ongoing.

Deputy Chief Constable Chris Eyre said: “This assessment of the force’s estate is being driven by the significant funding reductions over the next four years and the reshaping of the organisation to become more efficient and effective.”