New calls to put police back in Northumberland towns after station closures

New calls are today being made to reopen police desks in Northumberland towns after local offices were closed down during the pandemic.

Prudhoe was one of 14 communities in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear to lose its public-facing police base as part of cost-cutting measures implemented in 2021. But now a councillor is calling for an urgent rethink of the decision as footfall around the town's shops continues to increase.

Coun Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe on Northumberland County Council, says the town is very different to how it was when the decision was made to close its police desk due to lack of use, in the wake of the national lockdowns.

The construction of new homes in the town, along with investment in the town centre, means Prudhoe's shops are now busier than ever. And after thieves smashed their way into Prudhoe's Boots store earlier this month to steal perfume, Coun Stewart believes making police accessible to people in the town is now essential.

However, Northumbria Police is standing by its decision, saying the office in Prudhoe was not well used.

Coun Stewart said: "I have been communicating with hundreds of local residents and the main concern they have got is the lack of policing.

"I am renewing my request yet again to create town centre police desks, the one in Prudhoe was removed and it was was said at the time that the number of people visiting was so low, this was always disputed throughout the community and needs to be urgently reviewed.

"The local residents are crying out for it. They want to be reassured that there is a cop in the town. We should have a police presence, even if it's just for a few hours a day. They need to be reassured there is a visible police presence and they can get in contact with the police."

Coun Stewart is calling on Northumbria Police to consider trialling the reopening of police desks in Northumberland towns over the festive period to see if they are well used.

"At a time when local businesses experience greater visitor numbers and the increased income is vital for the viability of many of them. This will seek to reassure them and residents as well as deterring criminals and those who cause anti-social behaviour," he said.

"I am sure each town will be able to offer a drop in point for officers to be based right in the centre of the main business areas. Police desks in towns were closed as it was said at the time that there was a lack of footfall. This festive patrol initiative could give a clearer idea of the need."

Coun Stewart believes that reopening the police desk would encourage shoppers to support local businesses, while providing reassurance to elderly residents of the town.

"The town has grown, we are not in the pandemic days. We have got a growing population and an aging population," he said.

"I want to encourage more people to shop in the areas where they live. We have got a really good mix of local shops and national chains in Prudhoe. So many people work extremely hard to get people to visit Prudhoe and get people to spend money locally.

"Police presence is what I'm being asked about on a regular basis," Coun Stewart added. "We have done a survey in the town and that was the number one priority. The reality is we still need a police presence, even if we trialled it for a short time at Christmas and New Year."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the force was working on new ways for the public to "engage" with them.

“It is important that we are providing our communities with value for money and ensure that we use our resources in the best possible way to keep people safe," she said. "Over time, we saw a significant reduction in the number of people visiting us in Prudhoe. Therefore, following a review and consultation, the decision was taken not to reopen the enquiries desk we had based within a community space after it closed due to Covid.

“We are committed to being there when people need us – and continue to invest in modernising the ways the public can engage with us. There are an increasing number of ways people are able to contact us for non-emergency incidents. This includes digitally through our website and social media, which can be accessed 24 hours-a-day.

“For those unable to contact us this way, they can still ring 101. We have also been working with partners to hold ‘pop-up’ engagement-style events across the Force area, where people can come along and speak to a range of services. We would always encourage people to speak to our officers when they see them out and about.

“In an emergency or when a crime is taking place, people should call 999.”

And spokeswoman for the Office of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, added “All resourcing and station opening decisions sit with the Chief Constable and not the Police and Crime Commissioner. Northumbria Police is evaluating usage throughout the year to help determine cost effective arrangements in future planning. The PCC would support the Chief Constable with any operational decisions around the opening of front desks if evidence suggests there is high enough demand.”

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