Concerns over impending closure of Shrewsbury town centre police station
Fears have been raised that police response times could be impacted by the impending closure of Shrewsbury’s town centre police station.
Officers are set to move out of the Riverside station in November as part of Shropshire Council’s masterplan for the regeneration of the area.
They will instead be based at the town’s main police station, three miles away in Monkmoor.
The move came under fire from members of Shrewsbury Town Council’s recreation and leisure committee at a meeting on Wednesday evening, with members asking the clerk to write to West Mercia Police to relay the council’s concerns.
Members heard that the imminent move had caused worry among the Team Shrewsbury partnership, which includes council, emergency services, University Centre Shrewsbury, Business Improvement District (BID) and charity representatives.
Town council operations manager Gary Farmer said: “From a team point of view we have some concerns about this.
“The issue really is over response times. Obviously in the town centre they are right on the scene straight away, subject to their resources, but now they will be based out of Monkmoor.”
Councillor Nat Green said: “I absolutely deplore the loss of the town centre police station.
“I think the very presence of it gives people reassurance and stability and I think this is going to be a retrograde step.
Negative
“I think we should definitely be making representations to the police to reconsider this, because I really think this will have a negative impact upon policing in the town which at the moment is doing pretty well.”
Committee chairman Councillor Kevin Pardy agreed that the council should write to the police, and Councillor Keith Roberts suggested a letter should also be sent to Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.
Councillor David Vasmer said: “Privately I think a lot of police officers are concerned about this and I think it’s really important that we do express a very strong opinion about it.”
The closure of the station was announced in July when Mr Campion said it was down to Shropshire Council requiring the site back.
Speaking at the time, Superintendent Mo Lansdale said officers would maintain a strong visible presence in the town centre.
