Motorway policing cuts fears

Motorway policing cuts fears

The proposed closure of Lancashire Police's dedicated motorway unit has been greeted with alarm by local Euro-MP Paul Nuttall.

The decision to close it down at the end of the year has been take as part of a £67m cost cutting exercise but fears have been raised with the MEP that this will impact on road safety on the county's very busy motorways.

They are now to be policed from the force's divisional stations and it is believed that responses to motorway incidents will be dealt with by officers on routine duties.

"I have been contacted about this matter and I understand the concerns and they seem to be well founded," said Mr Nuttall.

"Consequently I have written to the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner asking for this to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

"We all understand that financial times are difficult, to say the least, and savings have to be made but I am seeking reassurance that this plan has been properly thought through and is in the best interests of motorists.

"Motorway policing is recognised as a specialised and responsible role requiring experienced and dedicated officers. The loss of this expertise would be a serious safety matter for both the public, in the event of accidents, and the police themselves, trying to monitor them.

"Can we be sure that the motorways will be policed at the same level as at present and will the expensively purchased Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment continue to be used by patrols to monitor criminals travelling into and out of Lancashire?

"I think this proposal is a matter which requires more public consultation and scrutiny than it has received so far which is why I have contacted the PCC and the Chief Constable," explained Mr Nuttall.

When asked about the situation Lancashire's Road Policing Chief Inspector Debbie Howard said: “Lancashire Constabulary has recently reviewed roads policing as part of the on-going requirement to make substantial financial savings. It has been agreed that in 2014 roads policing officers will work from divisional stations and police the roads from these bases.

"Lancashire Constabulary will continue to routinely police the motorway network and is committed to continuing to reduce road casualties and make all roads in Lancashire safer.”