THE FRONT counter at Wokingham Police Station is due to close under reforms announced by Thames Valley Police (TVP) today (Monday).
Due to budget cuts and a change in the way the public interact with the police, a number of front counters in the county are due to close, including Wokingham, Windsor and Pangbourne.
Loddon Valley Police Station’s front counter will remain open between 8am and 10pm seven days a week, along with counters at Reading, Newbury, Maidenhead and Slough, while the counter at Bracknell station will be open between 10am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
These changes are estimated to bring savings of £29million by 2021, and a combined revenue saving of approximately £1.7million per annum.
Previously, each front counter would offer a different level of service but these counters will offer all services to the public.
The public can still contact the police by telephone, via our website, social media accounts or our community alert system.
Most people use front counters for minor problems such as lost and found, with around 20,000 interactions across the Thames Valley each year, with each visit costing between £2.34 and £20.75.
The changes are scheduled to come into force on April 1 next year.
Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell said: “The way people interact with the police is changing; the public want to contact us at a time and place that’s convenient to them. We have found that more people are engaging with us on the phone, online or through our social media channels rather than visiting their local police station.
“Earlier this year we undertook a review of the varying services provided at front counters, the public usage and the associated costs. Analysis of demand has shown us that fewer people are visiting our front counters, especially overnight, therefore we are revising this provision.
“We are proposing to reduce the number of front counters available to the public across the force, with all front counters now offering the same service. In order to minimise the impact in the main the public will be within ten miles of a front counter.
“It is also proposed the counters will operate two sets of opening hours according to local need; a seven days a week provision or weekday provision.
“Staff at our front counters have been notified of our proposed changes and are being consulted with. At this stage no staff have been put at risk.
“Bricks and mortar has little to do with policing, therefore officers and staff are being empowered to be more mobile in their work with the use of smartphones, tablets, laptops and wifi connection in vehicles.
“These changes are part of a larger review of our estate, as part of a programme called asset management. We are relinquishing buildings that are no longer fit for purpose or expensive to maintain. These changes to our estate are estimated to bring savings of £29m by 2021 and a combined revenue saving of approximately £1.7m per annum.
“I wish to reassure the public we are by no means withdrawing from our communities and the availability and visibility of police officers to attend incidents is not affected by front counter opening times. Across the Thames Valley we have substantial resources to deploy to any incident.”
Anthony Stansfeld Police and Crime Commissioner said: “With a smaller budget and an ever increased demand on policing, it is vital that we look at ways we can improve the way we operate.
“We don’t want to see our buildings sitting empty, unused and costing money when the funding that’s saved can go into other areas where it is needed such as new technology, protecting vulnerable people, child abuse and domestic abuse.
“A review of our estate and the reinvestment of savings from the closing of assets that are underutilised will support the delivery of a more efficient and effective service to communities across the Thames Valley”.
The public will have an opportunity to ask DCC Campbell questions about the changes at a Cover It Live session starting at 7pm tomorrow (21). To join in the discussion visit @thamesvp on Twitter.
