Last updated at 11:54, Thursday, 18 October 2012

MILLOM police will relocate to a new base of operations in the coming days after settling on an alternative site.

The team will move from its existing premises to an office in the Network Centre in Salthouse Road on Tuesday, October 23.

The decision comes after the old site in Station Road was declared not fit for purpose and put up for sale.

Superintendent Andy Towler, who is in charge of policing across West Cumbria, said: “The team will operate from a new base in Millom next week but the move will not alter the service the community receives."

“The former police station in the town is adjoined to an old courts building owned by Cumbria County Council. The building has been put up for joint sale due to its current state, the high maintenance costs of the building and the fact that the police station is too big for operational need. Officers are now using mobile technology more than ever so they are able to travel more freely without being tied to a desk or an office. They are able to access the information and systems they need to operate in and amongst the community.

“The Network Centre is a central location which will provide police with an alternative base within the town. The police front counter service will be relocated and the public can use the front counter at Barrow or Whitehaven police stations. A county-wide review into front counter services is ongoing.

“There is a tight-knit community in Millom and we are committed to working alongside them to maintain a highly visible and effective policing service in the town.”

The move is part of Cumbria Constabulary’s review of the police estate in Cumbria, which has identified a number of police buildings that are underused and expensive to run.

Police Authority Chairman Ray Cole said: “Saving £20million from Cumbria Constabulary’s budget as required by the Government isn’t easy, but it has to be done.

“Reviewing and rationalising the police estate in Cumbria to make sure that it is efficient, effective and fits policing requirements is an important strand of this work so that we can ensure communities get the service they deserve – both now and in the future.

“I have lived and worked in Millom for many years and know that the community will be reassured that the work of the policing team will not change. Policing patrols will continue as normal and the team will be on hand if and when the public needs them.”

First published at 11:52, Thursday, 18 October 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk