The front desk at Chasetown’s police station is to close.
A review carried out by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has recommended changes to opening times of enquiry desks across the county.
Six will see their opening times reduced, with three – including Chasetown – set to close altogether by the end of October.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis recognised that people would be concerned by the changes, but insisted his plans would get more bobbies on the beat.
“People understandably like the idea of most police buildings being open to the public most of the time,” he said. “But policing budgets are reducing as are the number of people physically visiting enquiry desks, particularly in some specific locations.
“Most people want to see more frontline officer time spent out and about in communities. The strategy is exactly that, as well as a big investment in modern technology to free up officer time while increasing the capacity and capability of policing in Staffordshire.
“The answer isn’t throwing more and more money at services but it is about choices and spending the money available on the things that are most important to people.
“There will still be ample face-to-face counter services including the ability to formally present documents and other legal requirements, just not quite as many as there are now.”
The review found that less than ten people a week use the police’s front desk in Chasetown.
And Mr Ellis insisted it didn’t mean an end to the police presence in the town.
“The enquiry desk at Chasetown will close and be replaced by a new police post will open at a community building in the town where people can meet local officers at drop-ins or surgeries.
“The next few years will see a bigger proportion of the resources available spent on frontline policing, investment in 21st century technology to expand the way people can engage with local officers and a better, more comprehensive policing service for less cost to the public.”
