Pledge to safeguard police station
KEEPING Brighouse Police Station open is a top priority for police chief, Alan Ford.
Despite West Yorkshire Police force possibly facing budget reductions of 25 per cent it is committed to safeguarding the front counter at the station in Bradford Road operating.
Chief Superintendent Ford, divisional commander for Calderdale, is keen to keep the front counter open because it has increased public confidence. And he is pledging to do all he can to deliver a top standard of policing despite the service facing savage Government cuts.
Chief Supt Ford had had to fight for funding from the West Yorkshire Police Authority to keep the station open after a six-month trail which was extended until the end of the financial year.
In April the Brighouse Echo reported that the station was to stay open permanently after residents told officers that it was a top priority to reopen the building which had been closed for three years.
The decision to keep it open was welcomed by residents and the three ward councillors who had signed a petition.
Individual forces do not yet know how they will be affected, said Chief Supt Ford, but he believes future budgeting will require them to "be a bit clever."
He says some divisions could be made to cut more than others, depending on their current spending.
"Calderdale could be facing a 25 per cent budget cut. It could be more or it could be less - it's impossible to tell right now," he said.
But he promises public confidence through neighbourhood policing and response will remain Calderdale's priority, and says he is strongly committed to retaining frontline officers.
He reassured communities that they would still see officers on the streets.
"We can't not do neighbourhood policing because it's what the public want and it's what West Yorkshire Police want," he said. "We're not going to stop dealing with local policing priorities."
He said the division was always looking for volunteers to help extend the service they can deliver.
Anyone who is interested should call Sgt Julian Hartley on 01422 337238.
Brighouse Police Station is open from 1pm until 4pm Monday to Friday and people are encouraged to use it. The station can also be contacted on 01484 405251.
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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