OPENING hours are to be cut at Market Drayton’s police station even before the building is officially opened.
The public service desk at the town’s police station will not open on either Sundays or Monday, and will be open only from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays.
Police say the move is part of a multi-million pound savings plans.
The reduced opening hours for people to report crimes in person will be introduced between March and May at police stations not only in Market Drayton but at others including Whitchurch, Wem, and Oswestry. There will be reduced weekend opening in Malinslee, Telford and at Monkmoor, Shrewsbury.
Market Drayton mayor, Councillor Kath Brown, said she was worried about the plans.
Telephone
“If anyone needs to go to the police station on a Monday the nearest will be Whitchurch now,” she said.
“I am sure there will be a facility to speak to someone on the phone but it seems these days that everything has to be done on the telephone. Why spend all that money on the police station only to see it shut on Sundays and Mondays?”
She said councillors were due to tour the new police station next week.
The changes were approved by West Mercia Police Authority this week as it also agreed to freeze its share of council tax bills in Shropshire for 12 months.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: “The changes to public service counter opening times will not affect local policing and all police stations will remain operational.”