REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore has joined councillors from across the political divide to call for a front desk to be installed at the newly-redeveloped Redditch Police and Fire Station.
Speaking during the Business of the House debate, Mr Bloore paid tribute to Redditch’s hardworking neighbourhood policing team but said residents were rightly frustrated they now had to travel around 20 miles to speak face-to-face with an officer.
He said: “The feedback I’m getting from constituents is clear – they’re frustrated.
“When you need to speak to the police face-to-face – whether to report a crime, hand in found property or simply get reassurance – travelling 20 miles is not acceptable.
“This is particularly hard for elderly residents, those without transport, people with disabilities or anyone working full-time.
“Community policing relies on visibility and trust – and you can’t build that from a distance.”
He has been supported by four borough councillors, Conservative leader Coun Matt Dormer, Independent Coun Joe Baker, leader Coun Sharon Harvey and Green Party councillor Claire Davies.
The councillors have written to Police and Crime Comissioner John Campion to address their concerns.
They said: “The initial impression is one of an office block with the service behind closed doors, remote and unapproachable.
“On your website you describe your vision as ‘a people-led, tech-enabled, crime fighting service’ with ‘public first’ listed as your primary value.
“For the people of Redditch this means a police service which is friendly, accessible and easy to contact in times of need.
“Residents often complain that filling in an online form is impersonal, and they do not feel confident that the information will be processed quickly and efficiently.”
They have asked Mr Campion to consider how a public-facing service could be reinstated in Redditch, and have pledged to work together to achieve this.
* WHAT do you think? Would you like to see a front counter at Redditch Police Station? Or maybe you would prefer other methods be set up for community policing.
Email [email protected] with your views.
