Police stations to be sold off

At least nine police stations are to be sold off to help Gloucestershire Constabulary save £18 million pounds over the next four years.

The decision comes after a consultation with the public over plans to move officers into the nearest bigger station or into community buildings, like shops and libraries.

Cllr Rob Garnham, Chair of Gloucestershire Police Authority, said: "We hoped that people would come forward and offer us their views so that we could take them onboard but the communities in Gloucestershire went a step further and in many instances have not just commented but physically offered us alternative accommodation.

"We simply must make savings and we had expected this process to be a painful one but if ever there was evidence of community spirit alive and well, we found it across Gloucestershire.

"We promised we would listen. And we have. That is clear from a number of the decisions we have made and the holding of some decisions until we can fully explore some of the options that the communities have offered us.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their input which has been invaluable. The decisions announced today will be followed by others over time but all will be contributing to providing the most cost-effective, accessible and visible policing possible."

Here is how local stations will be affected across Gloucestershire:

Berkeley
The proposal had been to move police officers to the nearest large police station from where they would continue to police Berkeley. The community overwhelmingly said that they very much valued a static police presence in the town and the Town Council has offered space in the Town Hall for a Police Point to be created, allowing for the sale of the police station. 

Bishops Cleeve
Whilst the option of moving the policing presence into the local library still remains, the community offered us three other locations which are currently being scoped. No decision will be made about the future of Bishops Cleeve Police Station until all of the options that the public asked us to consider have been.

Bourton
A Library Link will move into the Police Station which will remain for the foreseeable future. In the longer term, police will be working in partnership with the development of a new community centre which could potentially house some policing services.

Brockworth
The proposal had been to move police officers to the nearest large police station from where they would continue to police Brockworth. The community have, however, offered two alternative solutions which are currently being explored.  No decision will be made about the future of Brockworth Police Station until all of the options that the public asked us to consider have been.

Bussage
The proposal had been to move police officers to the nearest large police station from where they would continue to police Bussage.  However, the community offered the use of space in the Parish Council offices for a Police Point, which, supplemented by a regular street surgery at the village’s branch of Tesco will allow for the sale of the existing police station.

Churchdown
The community has offered two possible locations for a Police Point to be located which would allow for the closure of the Police Station. A location to park operational vehicles close to Tewkesbury Police Station is still being scoped before it will be possible to sell the existing police station in Churchdown.

Fairford
Whilst the option of moving the policing presence into the local library still remains, the community has offered the possibility of moving into the community centre which is right at the heart of the town. This is still being explored so Fairford Police Station will not be sold until all of the options can be fully considered.

Leckhampton
No viable alternatives were offered in this instance. A number of existing police points provide good coverage of the area and assist with providing a very accessible policing presence. Leckhampton Police Station will therefore be sold.

Lydney
There is the option of providing a Police Point in the local library but there are some logistical issues due to the size of the policing presence located at Lydney. For that reason, further work is required to find a solution that best fits the needs of the community. Lydney Police Station will continue to operate as it currently does whilst this work is taking place. 

Moreton
The community told us that they did not oppose the closure of the police station provided that a continued policing presence would be seen in the town. That presence will be provided via a visible, accessible police presence in the local library, allowing for the sale of the police station.

Nailsworth
No viable alternatives were offered in this instance and a Police Point will therefore be established in the local library allowing the sale of the police station.

Newent
The community offered three alternative locations for a policing presence, however they were less central and therefore less accessible than the proposed Police Point in the library. The police presence will therefore move to the library allowing for the closure and sale of Newent Police Station.

Stonehouse
Whilst the option of moving the policing presence into the local library still remains, the community has offered an alternative location and, alongside the opening of a new community shop in the area, further work is continuing to ensure that any new arrangements provide the most visible and accessible policing possible. Stonehouse Police Station will continue to operate as it currently does whilst further scoping of the options which have been offered takes place.

Tetbury
Whilst the option of moving the policing presence into the local library still remains, the community has offered an alternative location which is currently being considered. No decision will be made about the future of Tetbury Police Station until all of the options that the public asked us to consider have been.

Tutshill
The proposal had been to move police officers to the nearest large police station from where they would continue to police Tutshill. As a result of the public consultation, Sedbury Village Hall is currently being explored as an option for a policing presence. Wyedean School is already being used as a Police Point which allows for the sale of Tutshill Police Station. 

Whaddon
Tthe community has offered two alternative locations for a policing presence, which supplemented by a presence at the library, would offer excellent coverage for policing across the area. The extra locations are currently being explored and Whaddon Police Station will continue to operate as it currently does until all options have been explored.

Winchcombe
No further options have emerged for the Winchcombe area. We have listened to the community in the area and feel that further discussions are required to come to a satisfactory solution for residents, which allows access to a police service which best suits their needs. No decisions will be made about the future of Winchcombe Police Station until further discussion with the community can take place.

Wotton
The community were in agreement that they wanted visible and accessible policing in the town. This will be provided through a Police Point in the library.