Fears over plan to close station

Feb 4 2010 Kevin Edge

The decision to close Hednesford Police Station could bring lawlessness to the streets of the town, residents have warned.

The town centre station was closed last week, as police moved their base for front-line operations to Pye Green Community Centre.

But residents believe the new base - which will house two Community Beat Officers - is too far out of the town to deter people intent on causing trouble and nuisance behaviour.

Hednesford Town Council echoed the disappointment of the residents at the decision to shut the station.

“A town the size of Hednesford should have its own police station,” resident James Garrison said.

“We have had problems in the past with crime in the town centre and the closure of the station could allow the undesirable element to come back.

“A visual police presence stops people from behaving like idiots. The post is out of town now. Out of sight is out of mind for some of the people who cause nuisance and trouble in the town.”

Resident Jacqueline Sanders also believed the lack of a police base in the town centre could usher-in crime to Hednesford streets.

“We have had problems before with kids running wild and smashing things up,” she said.

“The problem stopped when the station opened. But the drunken troublemakers could come back again now.”

Hednesford Town Council said they were also ‘disappointed’ at the closure of the police station.

“The Town Council was disappointed about the decision to close the Police Station in Hednesford Town Centre,” Council clerk Peter Harrison said.

“In order to ensure a continued police presence in the area the Town Council has facilitated the use of its Community Centre at Bradbury Lane, Pye Green, as a police post.

“Although this will not be staffed, it does provide a local base from where officers can work.”