3:54pm Tuesday 23rd August 2011
NINE police stations in north Essex are to shut to the public as part of Essex Police's budget cuts.
They are: West Mersea, Wivenhoe, Copford, Ipswich Road in Colchester, Mistley, Brightlingsea, Walton, Thorpe-le-Soken, Great Yeldham.
Essex Police has moved swiftly to point out that officers, in many cases will still use the building as a base.
Officers will continue to be available on patrol 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the front office is open.
Under the plans, announced by Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle, there would be nine core stations remaining open to the public between 8am and midnight, 7 days a week.
These stations are: Basildon, Grays, Harlow, Southend, Rayleigh, Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree and Clacton.
It is proposed that a further 16 stations will offer a front counter service from noon to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
These stations are: Halstead, Saffron Walden, Maldon, Pitsea, South Ockendon, Brentwood, Loughton, Witham, Great Dunmow, Southminster, South Woodham Ferrers, Canvey, Tilbury, Billericay, Epping and Harwich. In addition, Harwich will also be open from 12noon – 6pm every Sunday.
An Essex Police spokesman said: We have listened to the views of the people of Essex and we Awill ensure that our core stations will remain open during the times when they are most used.
"Our consultation which begins with staff today will focus upon altering the opening hours of some police stations and the closure of front counter service desks in others."
* SPECIAL REPORT IN WEDNESDAY'S GAZETTE