RESIDENTS have reacted with anger at the confirmation of police station closures across the city.
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping ended his consultation into the futures of Sneinton, The Meadows, Carlton and Arnold police stations yesterday and confirmed all four were shutting down.
The main reason behind the closures was to save money, with Notts Police facing cuts of £12.7 million this year, after having to find savings of £42 million in the past four years.
Police say they will sell off the buildings and find smaller bases, in shop units or shared offices, for neighbourhood policing teams to operate from. But residents are still angry at the decision to close the large police stations.
Rebecca Webster is the landlady of the Elwes Arms, in Oakdale Road, Carlton.
She was one of the signatories of a 2,000-strong petition in the area to keep Carlton Police Station.
Mr Tipping said he had listened to the residents' pleas and promised to keep the front desk open at Carlton until a site for a smaller base has been found.
But Ms Webster was still angry over the loss off Carlton Police Station.
"It is just typical of the police and the council that it doesn't matter what is said and done by us, they go ahead and do what they want anyway," she said. "It was talked about by everyone in the pub and now everyone has the same feeling about it. We pay more and more tax, but get less and less out of public services."
Baz Limachiya runs the Londis store, in Sneinton Dale, and is worried about the future of his business.
He said: "There is going to be more crime in the area. No police will mean more crime. My shop is right up by the police station. Who are they going to sell it too? It is a big building, so if a supermarket like Tesco buys it, it will mean the death of smaller business in the area."
Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling has opposed the closures, but gave his support to Mr Tipping.
"I do understand the aim of protecting police numbers and a visible police presence in communities, despite hard financial challenges," he said.
"To safeguard police officer and PCSO strength, difficult decisions have to be taken about the future of police buildings. For the people of Gedling, however, I will continue to do all I can to maintain public access to police stations in our area."
Force criticised
HER Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has warned that the way Notts Police is organised is "unsustainable" in the face of future budget cuts.
The report from the independent organisation says it respects how the force is trying to protect frontline services by collaborating with other public services.
But failures to agree joint-working arrangements have led to "disappointing progress made on its savings strategy" – and it must change as soon as possible.
The report says: "Nottinghamshire Police must urgently implement an operating model to provide the people of Nottingham- shire with an effective and affordable service. Should it not do so it will face significant risks in the longer-term."
But senior police officers defended their record in protecting the public and helping the reduce crime levels in the county.
Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish (pictured) said: "The financial imperative is clearly very important in delivering a sound future operating model but it is absolutely not the only driver.
"What remains at the heart of our plan is a real commitment from us to deliver the best possible service to the people of Nottinghamshire."
