This is Dorset --
PROPOSALS for reducing the opening hours of police station enquiry desks in East Dorset include complete closure of both Wimborne and Verwood, leaving Ferndown open for only four hours a week.
A consultation by Dorset Police on proposed changes to the opening hours for a six month trial period starting in April next year closed last week.
The police authority say that it has become necessary for them to assess whether their services deliver the most efficient, effective and customer focussed service possible within tightening budgetary constraints.
They say that, despite the perception of police enquiry offices being a reassuring presence, the data regarding the number of visits to each station shows that, in reality, they are an under-utilised resource.
A community survey in 2012-13 revealed that 77 per cent of the public preferred to contact the police by phone, and 75 per cent used the non-emergency number.
In Wimborne last year the enquiry office, currently open one and a half days a week, averaged 6.1 visits per day with a total of 638.
The Verwood enquiry office, currently open only one day a week for 8 hours, averaged 3.4 visits per day in 2012, a total of 717 visits.
The Ferndown office, open 5 days a week, averaged 5.1 visits per day, totalling 1319 visits.
The enquiry office at Bournemouth will remain open seven days a week between 8am and 6pm.
Nicci Brown Reported by This is 16 hours ago.
PROPOSALS for reducing the opening hours of police station enquiry desks in East Dorset include complete closure of both Wimborne and Verwood, leaving Ferndown open for only four hours a week.
A consultation by Dorset Police on proposed changes to the opening hours for a six month trial period starting in April next year closed last week.
The police authority say that it has become necessary for them to assess whether their services deliver the most efficient, effective and customer focussed service possible within tightening budgetary constraints.
They say that, despite the perception of police enquiry offices being a reassuring presence, the data regarding the number of visits to each station shows that, in reality, they are an under-utilised resource.
A community survey in 2012-13 revealed that 77 per cent of the public preferred to contact the police by phone, and 75 per cent used the non-emergency number.
In Wimborne last year the enquiry office, currently open one and a half days a week, averaged 6.1 visits per day with a total of 638.
The Verwood enquiry office, currently open only one day a week for 8 hours, averaged 3.4 visits per day in 2012, a total of 717 visits.
The Ferndown office, open 5 days a week, averaged 5.1 visits per day, totalling 1319 visits.
The enquiry office at Bournemouth will remain open seven days a week between 8am and 6pm.
Nicci Brown Reported by This is 16 hours ago.