MP's warning over police closure

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard warned the move to shut the facility at Bispham Police Station means many of his constituents living in outlying areas of the town will face a long trip to speak face to face with an officer.

Mr Maynard said: “These counters provide a vital service for those who want to speak directly with an officer.

“Not everybody is comfortable discussing what can be very personal matters on the telephone or online.

“The commissioner has pointed out that Blackpool Central Police Station is only 3.2 miles from Bispham. That is of little comfort to my constituents, who may live in Bispham, Anchorsholme, Thornton and Cleveleys, who do not have their own transport.

“I made a strong case for retaining the Bispham counter but this decision appears to have been a done deal.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said savings had to be made due to government cuts.

He added: “The proposals which were consulted on were not just based on reducing costs, although that is a significant factor, but also recognise the public are choosing to engage with the police in different ways.

“Detailed analysis showed around three members of the public attend the front counter in Bispham to report an incident in person a day, in contrast with the ever increasing and complex demand in the contact centre which sees 2,400 calls dealt with on a daily basis.”

Lancashire Police has suffered cuts of £72m since 2010.