'Regularly reviewed' - Police boss issues statement amid calls for West Sussex town's station to reopen for public access
Sussex Police, and its commissioner, have responded after a councillor invited residents to have a say on his campaign to reopen the station in Midhurst for public access.
Dominic Merritt – Chichester district councillor for the Midhurst Ward – has called on residents to take part in a survey. He wants Midhurst’s police station to be restored to ‘strengthen local policing’ – not only for the town but ‘for surrounding villages and rural communities that rely on it’.
The Lib Dem councillor said community feedback is ‘essential to understanding’ residents’ priorities, their sense of safety, and the level of public support for bringing back a permanent police presence in the town.
Mr Merritt plans to use residents’ views to lobby the police senior leadership team and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne.
In light of this, Sussex Police issued a statement to this newspaper.
A spokesperson said: “Sussex Police continues to maintain a presence in Midhurst, this includes having officers on duty from our neighbourhood policing teams, rural crime team and dogs unit.
"The force works in partnership with the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner to review our estates strategy to ensure we are serving our communities across the county and keeping people safe.”
In her own statement, Mrs Bourne highlighted that Midhurst Police Station ‘remains an active and valuable part of the Sussex Police estate’.
She added: “It is not closed or inactive but continues to support local communities and is home to the West Sussex Rural Crime Team, specialist dog units and officers from local neighbourhood policing teams.
“There is no public front desk but a yellow telephone outside the station provides a direct link to the force contact and command Centre, allowing members of the public to report crime or speak to an officer in the most direct way possible.
"Where immediate assistance is required, Sussex Police will deploy officers – most likely those based at Midhurst Police Station – to respond.
“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have a responsibility to ensure the estates strategy reflects both operational and geographical demand so police services remain accessible across our county.
"I meet monthly with senior officers and the estates team and together we ensure our strategy is regularly reviewed and fit for purpose.”
However, Mr Merritt said rural crime ‘continues to be a growing concern’ across the Midhurst Ward and South Downs – ‘affecting residents, small businesses and family farms’.
He added: “Many in the community have expressed frustration at what they see as a lack of visible policing since the police station ceased regular operation.
“Residents deserve a fully staffed, accessible police station that is open for face-to-face support, reporting concerns and providing reassurance.
"The absence of a local station has left many people feeling forgotten.”
The councillor stressed that responsibility ‘does not lie with our local frontline officers’.
He added: “This is not a reflection on the dedicated police officers or PCSOs who are already stretched covering large areas. The decision sits with the senior leadership of Sussex Police, the current Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, and ultimately the government.”
Mr Merritt said government promises for additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs ‘must be matched by action’.
“As a rural town, Midhurst appears to be being overlooked if we cannot even sustain an operating police station,” he said,
“I am urging Sussex Police and the current Police and Crime Commissioner to work with me and the local community to reopen the station and improve police visibility in the area.
“Residents’ views matter. By listening to the community and acting together, we can make the case for the policing presence Midhurst deserves and he will not give up.”
Fellow Lib Dem district councillor Tracie Bangert – the cabinet member for communities and wellbeing – is supporting the campaign.
She said: “It is positive that Dominic has designed this questionnaire on the future of Midhurst Police Station, which is of great concern to local people.
"The manning of police stations is not the responsibility of local operational police, but of management, who have to take account of limited resources and Government directives.
"I believe that no decision on the future of the station has yet been made and I hope Dominic's efforts will highlight this important issue.”