Burnham-On-Sea Police have this week assured residents that levels of service will not be cut in the town despite a team of officers being moved to Bridgwater.
A team of response officers based at Burnham Police Station have this week been relocated to the new police HQ in Bridgwater as part of a raft of changes.
But Inspector Andy Pritchard says the move will not affect crime-fighting in Burnham and Highbridge.
“As part of our new operating model, the response officers have moved to the HQ in Bridgwater’s Express Park, however our local beat team of 15, consisting of beat managers, specials, PCSOs and volunteers are staying in Burnham. The public can be reassured that our police presence is continuing and that the service is not being affected,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Avon and Somerset Police said earlier this year that Burnham police station would be closing as part of a cost-cutting initiative. The closure is likely to go ahead over the next two years, as first reported here.
However, Inspector Pritchard said this week: “There is no definite timescale but I can confirm that Burnham Police Station is currently not up for sale.”
“We are looking at various options to allow our local police team to continue to start and finish their shifts in Burnham and Highbridge.”
“The fire station in Marine Drive is one possible option and we are also considering other buildings in the town.”
The force wants to save £42million over the next four years to keep in line with the Government’s latest spending review.
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said the restructuring strategy across the region will “minimise estate running costs wherever possible and align our buildings better to the locations we need to be”.
She said the force also plans to share facilities and buildings with local councils, fire and ambulance services. She said this would mean “the police will be where you need them most, in the heart of your community”.
