Police chief’s reassurance over closures

SUSSEX Police has promised residents the police presence will be matched or improved, despite the decision to close police stations in Shoreham and Steyning by 2018.

Under a cost-cutting five-year plan, a number of station closures were announced last month, with plans to create ‘public contact points’ in other buildings, such as town halls.

Fears were raised by councillors that the level and quality of policing would deteriorate as a result, but district commander Jo Banks has moved to allay the concerns.

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She said: “It’s understandable why a member of the public would be concerned to hear that their local police station was closing, if they weren’t aware of our pledge to match or improve the service in their area first, or that currently very little of the station is used to full capacity.

“I can offer the assurance that whichever location is chosen, it will be somewhere easily accessible and visible within the heart of the community.”

She added: “Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Adur will continue to be based where they’re needed, only from more modern and accessible locations.”

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