Save our Local Police Stations and front desk services...

Freemantle Councillors vow to Save and provide local Police front desks for reporting crime...

June 2011

Your Freemantle Councillors are very concerned about the planned closure of Shirley and Portswood Police Stations. Hampshire Constabulary have said they are looking to close these police stations within the next 2 years as part of their wider pans to reduce the number of police buildings across the country.

We are fighting for alternative police buildings in the community to be provided if we do lose these existing police stations as we feel it is crucial to have a place where the local beat police are based.

These police buildings should be accessible to all residents so people can continue to report crimes locally as this is a very important concern for people of all ages living within our Freemantle Ward.

We are pleased that the police have managed to re-locate their main central police headquarters but feel communities demand the ability to easily and conveniently engage and access police at a local level and this is something that should not be lost to our communities or left to the ability of finding police patrolling our streets.

All 3 of your Freemantle Councillors are campaigning to keep local police stations within our district as it's vitally important that local beat police are based in the area that they patrol in our opinion and also we feel that a very strong message is sent to all residents when people have a physical police station and front desk service where they can personally visit and report crimes and other local concerns direct to a police presence.

In 2011 Jeremy Moulton was pleased to be able to report that he had secured a commitment from the Chief Constable that alternative local police stations would be put in place before any closures and that local beat police and PCSOs would be based there. Jeremy also recognise's that these police stations need front desks too and he is currently fighting for a cast iron commitment from the police on this issue.

Please click this link to see Jeremy Moulton's Blog page where more information on Local Police Stations can be found...