Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has this week been urged to suspend the closures of Burnham-On-Sea police station.
It comes as a new Freedom of Information request has revealed that 12 stations across the police force area are in the process of being vacated, closed or sold and a further 13 are under review to save money.
Conservative PCC candidate Mark Weston, pictured with Burnham’s MP James Heappey and supporters outside the town’s police station this week, says he wants the closures suspended.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Following the Government’s protection for overall police budgets, we have more money in the pot and can look again at these closures.”
“I’ve been campaigning hard to keep our stations open – so officers aren’t just a glorified taxi service taking offenders to the nearest custody suite in Bridgwater.”
“The public and the police need a proper presence in our towns, not just a desk in a library and they want officers with time to do the job they are trained for.”
If elected, Mr Weston says he will prioritise community policing and maintaining a visible presence in the area.
MP James Heappey says: “Burnham and Highbridge needs a police station of its own to make residents feel secure and to provide a base for policing in the town – and nearby – during the summer when the population increases with all our visitors.”
“I support Conservative Police & Crime Commissioner candidate Mark Weston in calling for the decision to be suspended.”
The current Police & Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountsevens, said this week that Burnham-On-Sea Police Station is three times bigger than needed – and that’s one of the reasons why it’s due to close down. Read more here.
The following police stations are in the process of being vacated, closed or sold: Avonmouth, Bath, Bishopsworth, Bower Ashton, Bournville, Burnham, Cheddar, Southmead, Frome, Keynsham, Minehead and Nailsea. Sites under review to reduce space and cost include Chard, Ilminster, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Somerton, Glastonbury, Taunton, Trinity Road, Wellington, Weston-super-Mare, Williton, Wincanton and Yeovil.
Also see:
Burnham Police Station ‘is three times bigger than needed’ says PCC
Police to ‘open library office’ when Burnham’s Police Station shuts
Burnham-On-Sea Police Station to close as move to fire station nears
Burnham voters set to go the polls to choose police commissioner
