POLICE stations across the district could close to the public or slash the hours they are open under new proposals.
Ongar and Waltham Abbey stations could close their front desks to the public.
Both are currently open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Loughton Police Station, which is currently open for 24 hours, seven days a week, could slash the hours it is open to midday to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Epping station, which is currently open from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, could have the hours it is open to the public cut to midday to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
In June and July this year, to help identify ways they could save money, police consulted the public on how they use police services.
After 62.6 per cent of those asked responded that they had not visited a police station in the last 12 months, police have proposed to reduce the amount of time all but nine stations in the county are open or close them to the public.
Police staff will now be consulted on the proposals through Unison, the public sector worker’s union.
If approved, police authorities hope the move will save them £2.5 million, part of the £41 they will have to save as part of government funding cuts by 2014.
The closures would then form part of the ‘Blueprint’, a new policy for all aspects of policing in Essex, which would be implemented in March 2012.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel