Barton Street Police Station recommended for closure
BARTON Street Police Station is earmarked for closure – just a year after violent outbreaks in the street.
The building is up for "disposal" or sale in an updated version of Gloucestershire Police Authority's Estate Strategy document. It would be replaced by a "police point" for the area.
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EARMARKED: Barton Street police station.
Just over a year ago, Barton was at the centre of a night of violent outbreaks and arrests as the 2011 summer riots swept the country.
The most up-to-date figures, for June this year, show 832 crimes and incidents were reported within one mile of Barton Street during the month.
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The Police Authority, which recommends closing the station, is disbanding later this year, to be replaced with an elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
It will fall to them to make the ultimate decision on the future of the station.
City councillor Usman Bhaimia (Lab, Barton and Tredworth) said: "It will be a disaster for the area.
"Crime will rise because people won't have any fear if they know there isn't a building full of police officers there any more.
"We have enough problems in Barton, especially with prostitution. I think they know that if they ask people what they think, everyone will be against it."
In March last year, plans to shut 14 community police stations in an £18million budget-slashing drive were revealed by Gloucestershire Police. Barton Street was not originally among them.
Tony Ward, chairman of Barton and Tredworth Residents' Association, said: "I certainly hope they decide not to close it. Barton and Tredworth needs that station. If it closes I do think crime will go up."
Martin Surl, independent candidate for the PCC role who spotted the change to the Estate Strategy, said: "My gut reaction is it's a bad idea but my big problem with it is that no-one has been told about it."
A police spokesman said: "This is a long term strategy which aims to provide buildings that are fit for purpose. This will be an issue for the Police and Crime Commissioner to determine."
Comments
by Internezzo
Sunday, August 26 2012, 8:26AM
“I know what you mean Kay_Powell but unless we all pay more taxes we can't avoid cuts and police points are cheaper. The 832 crimes and incidents, well that's misleading as we don't know how many of those calls were serious or just minor. Usman Bhaimia should have asked that question before talking about disasters.”
by Kay_Powell
Saturday, August 25 2012, 2:13PM
“Internezzo, no, I don't work for the police. I'm often angry at them for doing too little about yobs. I don't live in Barton street, but I pass through frequently, and I sometimes visit shops there. I can't say when I last witnessed an arrest, but I saw the police dealing with the car crash at the junction of Derby Road and Jersey Road at about 8pm yesterday. I also had a return phone call today from a Barton Street PCSO about a complaint that I made late last night about some idiot trying to blind drivers using a laser pen in Tredworth.
If police stations close, it means that the police officers have to start and finish their shifts elsewhere, often miles away from the area where they work. That has already happened with the PCSOs who cover Matson - they have to clock in and out at Hucclecote Police Station, which is mad.
Alphonso2, thanks for the document.”
by Inkerman
Friday, August 24 2012, 7:28PM
“I think some of these comments are just quite silly and frankly stating that you have never seen Police Officers in Barton Street is just a pure lie.
Its also a shame that martin is using these as a tool to further his own goals, "The people of Barton need to know what the tory candidate would do"
What we all need to understand is that Glospol has been told it will get 18 MILLION pounds less from the gov in its budget, think about that figure.
How on earth do you believe they are going to save that.
It has nothing to do with the soon to be defunct out of touch police authority or indeed the incoming deluded PCC”
by Alphonso2
Friday, August 24 2012, 7:28PM
“The Estate Strategy Document can be viewed (PDF) on Gloucs Police Authority's website at http://tinyurl.com/9l5wmqm”
by Internezzo
Friday, August 24 2012, 6:21PM
“How many times in the last month have you seen arrests in Barton Kay_Powell and how much time do you spend in Barton Street each day? Do you work for the police?”
by Kay_Powell
Friday, August 24 2012, 4:16PM
“If you lived near Barton Street, you would see lots of PCs and PCSOs in that area, as I do. Barton Street is a very busy police station. Oh, and I've seen plenty of police running. (I haven't seen a big cat, but I live in hope...)”
by ultima_ratio
Friday, August 24 2012, 10:51AM
“running???? LOL !!!!”
by Internezzo
Friday, August 24 2012, 9:27AM
“Usman Bhaimia's talking nonsense, reported crimes will be handled but from a different building. The impression this article gives is that every time someone rang the police in Barton they all came out running from the station.”
by ultima_ratio
Friday, August 24 2012, 2:11AM
“Thanks for all of the red arrows, it's more than the number of policemen I've seen in Barton Street in the last twelve months.”
by Kay_Powell
Thursday, August 23 2012, 3:03PM
“Top marks to Martin Surl for finding out that this was happening. I'm absolutely furious at the attitude of the Police Authority.”