Cash crisis threat to police posts
COULD Wigan’s police posts shut down because of a cash crisis?
That was the question being asked in borough communities today after it was revealed that the mini-stations’ future could be in doubt.
Greater Manchester Police is faced with making 25% budget cuts.
And the Wigan Evening Post has been exclusively told by a force insider the viability of posts – introduced after the closure of many old-style stations – will come under police authority scrutiny in the new year.
The posts – based in public buildings such as council offices and libraries – themselves caused controversy when introduced several years ago, as many saw them as a downgrading of the police’s public service.
Force chiefs had argued its aging stock of under-used buildings was a massive drain on resources, and money would be better spent on front line policing while running more modest posts at other people’s premises.
But independent councillor Gary Wilkes, who fears that the Ashton Library-based post could close, has been told the small base itself costs £100,000 to set up – money which could have been used to upgrade the former station on Old Road which has stood empty and boarded up for the last two years.
But he said communities should be fighting “tooth and nail” to keep what is left.
Aside from police stations at Wigan, Leigh, Bamfurlong, Standish and Atherton, there are five posts with limited opening hours: at Ashton Library, Hindley Town Hall, Golborne High Street, Leigh Library and Shevington Library.
A police source said: “The issue of police posts will be discussed and reviewed, as will many other aspects of policing, in the coming months.
“Given the amount of savings that have to be made to make ends meet, little can be declared off-limits – police posts certainly are not.”
Residents in Ashton are currently getting a taste of having to do without a local post – and travel three miles to Bamfurlong because it is shut until September 10 for library refurbishment.
When open, the inquiry desk at Ashton is staffed by civilian police service personnel every day of the week except Thursday. As in the other posts, residents use it report minor crimes and public order concerns and produce documents in relation to motoring offences.
Greater Manchester Police announced a £5m over-spend of their £560m annual budget last year, which they blamed on the cost of new technology at call centres, a number of “high-profile” murders and a force-wide crackdown on burglars.
Planned cuts are already expected to leave the force with 300 fewer officers through natural wastage by the end of the year.
Coun Wilkes is promising a big campaign to save the police post if its closure is confirmed.
He said: “Officers have told me unofficially that the police post and others are now under serious review and could go after Christmas.
“The post was always a compromise after all the fuss councillors and residents kicked up when the proper police station was going.
“We fought absolutely tooth and nail – and we didn’t go to all that effort to have it swept away again when they think the heat has gone off.
“But it isn’t just a physical presence, but what it represents. Residents of Ashton and Bryn find it very reassuring to have the police desk still in operation in their town. It will be a tragedy for them if it goes.
“Older people in particular can’t face a bus journey on a irregular service to trail over to Bamfurlong just to report that their garden shed has been broken into and a lawn mower has been taken.
“After Wigan and Leigh, Ashton is the third biggest town in the borough and I just don’t think Bryn and Ashton are getting a fair share of the resources people pay for.
“I think we all except things are never going to be as they were, but that doesn’t mean that we are prepared to stand aside and lose what little we have got.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “The force always strives to deliver an excellent customer service, provided in the locations best suited to the needs of our communities. We continually review our services in order to ensure they provide the greatest value for money.
“Ashton Police Post will experience temporary closure from September 2 to 10 due to essential building works being carried out in Ashton Library.
“These building works will restrict access to our police post provided within Ashton Library.
“Members of the public wishing to access police services are advised to contact Bamfurlong Police Station throughout the duration of the building works.”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 04 February 2012
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Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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