Relief in Rye aspolice stationavoids closure

No changes affecting Rye were indicated in Sussex Police’s five year plan review, unveiled last week.

The news was welcome by Rye councillor Mary Smith, who has studied the review. But she warned that a threat could still exist in the future.

Cllr Smith said: “This looks to me like a welcome reprieve, and the only sensible decision for a tourist economy, but Rye needs to be on its guard for the future. To my mind the whole tenor of the document indicates more cuts to come.”

She was referring to a section of the document which states: ‘we appreciate that business needs will change and the strategy will need to be amended as the programme develops’.

The five year plan is being introduced following a review of more than 100 Force buildings - from Lewes HQ to smaller police stations - to look at how Sussex Police can improve service whilst making savings.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, said: “We’ve conducted a complete review to ensure the Sussex Police estate is fit for purpose and fit for the future.

“In the 21st century people access police services in many different ways and so we are looking to reduce the number of out-dated and expensive police stations. We will replace them with community hubs and public contact points where a number of public services can be accessed in one location.

“It is about putting policing back at the heart of the community.

But Battle police station will close within the next five years and the Force has not yet decided where Rother’s 999 officers will be based.

Response officers from Rye have been based at Battle since September 2011. In December last year Sussex Police did not rule out the possibility of moving the response officers to a base in Hastings.