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New cuts planned for police stations

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Leicestershire Police has released further details of proposed cuts to police stations' opening hours.

The force believes it can save about £500,000 a year by limiting public access to its stations' front inquiry desks.

It confirmed on Tuesday a plan to completely close the front inquiry desks at Belgrave, Syston, Lutterworth and Blaby.

Now, it has published details of possible reductions in the opening hours of inquiry desks in its remaining 13 stations.

The plans, which the force has stressed are still under consideration, would see most stations close earlier in the day while some would no longer open at weekends. It said no changes would be introduced until April next year.

Under the plan, Loughborough police station would no longer open at weekends.

Charnwood district and county councillor David Snartt said: "I understand the pressures the police are under and if there have to be spending cuts, I would rather it was in areas such as this and not to the frontline of policing."

Harborough district councillor Phil Knowles said: "I would urge senior officers to rethink these proposals.

"Closing a station at 4pm rather than 6pm during the week would be very inconvenient for a lot of people."

Lutterworth station is one of four which could see its front inquiry desk closed completely.

Geraldine Robinson, a Lutterworth town councillor and chairman of Harborough District Council, said: "I'm not sure the closure would have much impact, given the current limited opening hours.

"The police must ensure they make themselves easily accessible if this goes ahead."

Chief Superintendent Chris Haward said on Tuesday: "We know members of the public like the reassurance of knowing they can walk into a police station.

"But in reality, fewer and fewer people are making use of this service and in the current world of financial constraints we have to be as efficient as possible."

New cuts planned for police stations


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