Public enquiry counter closures

Public enquiry counter

The public enquiry counters at Littleborough and Heywood Police Stations will be closing on Thursday 5 April 2012.

This is due to a review which has been undertaken by the Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to establish the cost-effectiveness of the 55 public enquiry counters across Greater Manchester. The Force has to make £134million of savings by 2015.

Part of the review has included research on how the public enquiry counters are being used.

Fewer than 30 people use the front desks at Littleborough and Heywood each day, meaning these enquiry counters are very expensive to run compared to those at Rochdale and Middleton police stations, which receive 168 and 65 visitors each day respectively.

Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir of GMP’s Rochdale Division said: “The closure of these front enquiry counters will not impact on policing across the borough, and neighbourhood policing remains at the heart of what we do. What we have to do is provide the very best access to our services in a way that is fit for the future and considers the current financial situation.

“Neighbourhood officers will continue to attend neighbourhood meetings and surgeries, and teams covering Littleborough and Heywood in particular will provide further opportunities for engagement with local communities.

“Officers can be contacted by telephone, email or through social networks like Twitter, and our customer service desk provides an enhanced appointment system, allowing us to see people in their own home at a time convenient to them.”

If people need to attend a police station then they can visit one of the following:

• Rochdale Police Station, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AG – currently open 7.00am-9.00pm every day, but from Tuesday 10 April will be open 8.00am-11.00pm every day.
• Middleton Police Station, Oldham Road, Middleton M24 1AY – currently open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Saturday, but from Tuesday 10 April will be open 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday.