The Police and Fire Service in Sedbergh are joining forces by sharing office space in a bid to save money and maintain their presence in the town.
Police officers and PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) will move into the neighbouring fire station on 20 September. The move will reduce cost and maintain levels of service.
PCSOs based in Sedbergh will have an office in the Fire Station, with facilities being available for all police officers to use.
Cumbria Constabulary estimated it needed to save £18.7 million by 2015, and a further £1.6m by 2016. As a result all parts of the Constabulary are being reviewed to ensure that they are efficient and effective, which includes police stations.
With both emergency resources sharing the facilities of one building, the costs will be a reduction for both organisations, and the policing and fire service in Sedbergh will not be affected.
Inspector John Stephens said: “The police and fire service in Cumbria need to make significant savings but we are committed to maintaining frontline policing across the county.
“To achieve this we have been working with our colleagues in the fire service to identify where we could save money by sharing office space. By moving into one building we can share the cost and save money that is better spent maintaining as many police officers and PCSOs in Sedbergh and the rest of the Kendal area as possible.
“We are only moving next door, so the people of Sedbergh won’t notice a difference in the quality of policing service they receive. Sedbergh is a low-crime area, and by maintaining the presence of police officers and PCSOs in the town, we can keep it that way.
“The way that we police has changed significantly in the last few years as a result of developments in technology. With the introduction of remote working, our Neighbourhood Policing Team officers can be based much more easily in the communities that they serve rather than returning to police stations at regular intervals to complete paper work.
“The communities will benefit from seeing their officers much more in the area and will be able to build and maintain relationships with their local officers.”
Inspector John Stephens will be attending the Parish Council meeting in Sedbergh on Thursday 25 August 2011.
All parts of Cumbria Constabulary are being reviewed to ensure that they are efficient and effective, which includes all police stations. Work is ongoing to identify other towns in which police stations and fire stations could work together in one building.
Raymond Cole, the Chairman for Cumbria Police Authority said: “In a time where significant savings need to be achieved the Police Authority and Constabulary are keen to collaborate with partners. The Authority has formally agreed the decision to relocate next door to the Fire and Rescue premises after discussions with the Fire and Rescue Service and will continue to monitor the process of moving facilities. It is imperative that the Community understand that this will not impact on the level of service that they already receive in Sedbergh. The Police Station has had limited opening hours predominantly by appointment only for several years, this function will continue and will not change as a result of the move.
“We welcome the opportunity to work more closely with our partners and share resources at a time where all emergency services must look at making savings.”
William Wyllie, the Cumbria County Council Fire and Rescue Service Locality Manager at Kendal, said: “We are delighted to host the Police in Sedbergh and look forward to the benefits that will come from a closer working relationship at the same time as reducing costs.
“These are tough times for all emergency services and by looking at how we can all work together to provide the services communities need and yet make essential savings makes real sense. We will do our utmost to ensure that our communities remain as safe as possible and welcome this approach as part of how we intend to do that.”
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