OPENING hours at police stations across the district will be slashed as part of cost-cutting measures.
Loughton police station, which is currently open to the public 24 hours a day all week, will have its hours reduced to noon to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, as part of a bid by Essex Police to save £2.5 million across the county.
Epping police station will also have its opening hours cut, from 8am to 10pm to noon until 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Susan Evans, 59, of Colson Road, Loughton, had the windows of her van smashed by vandals who went on a rampage through the district in March.
She said: “When I first heard about it I wondered if crime has dropped that much, because there’s always something going on.
“In the evenings, if there’s a lot of youngsters about pouring out of pubs and clubs, it’s needed.
“It might be better if they made it a later shift, because during the day, you’ve got a chance to go somewhere else to report a crime.”
Mark Pidgeon, 62, whose neighbourhood has been plagued by violence and disorder from late-night drinkers in Loughton High Road, said: “I’m horrified to hear that.
“I’ve always said the police should intensify their coverage from 11pm onwards.
“People will rush around to the police station at midnight and they might not have mobiles or know the number to call.
“Not to have the place open is an affront to public services.”
Essex Police said in a statement that just over 62 per cent of people they questioned in an internet survey had not visited a police station in the past 12 months and in face-to-face surveys, the figure was more than 75 per cent.
The statement added: “It is crucial for residents to understand that even when a front counter service desk is closed, officers in many cases will still use the building as a base.
“Officers will continue to be available on patrol 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the front office is open.”
Police have also confirmed that officers in Waltham Abbey will move from the police station in Sun Street to the fire station in Sewardstone Road at the end of next month, subject to Essex Police Authority’s approval.
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