County Cllr Gordon Stewart the Northumberland County Council Cabinet member for Public safety said – ‘This is another step in the continuing erosion of Police cover in Northumberland.
Stations and Police desks closed, the Police control room moved out of the County.
Support officers being apparently moved to call centers to improve call handling times, I can say the Public are giving up contacting the Police as it takes too much effort and time to get through’
The highly acclaimed Project Shield which saw Council officers working with the Police and other partners closely to tackle the menace of ASB, scaled right back due to funding issues.
Operation Capio was welcomed by communities as officers tackled motor cycle disorder all but removed from the county.
To close the last custody suite in Northumberland will make officers escorting prisoners travel further increasing the risks to the officers themselves and reducing on the ground police resources whilst they are processing the suspect.
At one time parents would caution unruly Children by saying ‘ a night in the cells would teach them a lesson’ now we dont even have a cell !!
Every week rural communities complain about the lack of Policing cover, this is going to make it even worse.
The Government has said it is supporting the Police, there is no evidence of this as far as Northumbria is concerned with funding being eroded, council tax payers having to cough up a massive 9.45% increase for the police precept.
The PCC needs to set about an urgent root and branch review of all Police cover across Northumberland to protect and reassure the Public and put the fear onto the criminals not the hardworking law abiding public.
From Nbria Police.
We can confirm that Bedlington custody is to close as a fully operational suite in June after it re-opened in July 2024, having previously shut in 2015.
“A detailed review over the last 12 months highlighted that the suite does not offer the most effective or efficient use of our resources and does not provide value for money for our communities. This decision means that we can continue to focus our resources where they are most needed and will have the greatest impact. The custody suite will be retained for resilience and to ensure flexibility.
“It is important to recognise that not all of those arrested in Northumberland are currently taken to Bedlington, with people from East and West Tynedale taken to Forth Banks in Newcastle as this is their closest station and this will continue to be the case.
——
Notes
Gordon Stewart
County Councillor (Prudhoe South)
Cabinet member – Public safety.
Mobile 07779983093
e mail gordon.stewart@northumberland.gov.uk
Web https://prudhoeconservatives.com/
Facebook Prudhoe Matters
Twitter @PrudhoeNland
Instagram Prudhoe Matters
YouTube Prudhoe Matters
Nextdoor Prudhoe Matters
Threads Prudhoe Matters
BlueSky – Prudhoe Matters
Regardless of the time or day I sent this email to you, there is no expectation for you to read or respond to my email outside of your normal working hours, during annual leave or on days you are not contracted to work.
Prudhoe Matters 