March 1, 2010
MP URGES RE-THINK ON POLICE STATION CLOSURE
AN MP battling the closure of a local police station has urged police chiefs to re-think the decision.
John Healey launched his campaign to keep Wath police station open to the public in December, as soon as he heard there were plans to shut it on April 1.
Since then nearly 500 people have signed the Wentworth MP’s petition and the campaign has been backed by local councillors, Wentworth North Area Assembly, shopkeepers, Wath community groups and members of South Yorkshire Police Authority.
Mr Healey met Temporary Chief Superintendent Richard Tweed to discuss the issue and has now urged him to reconsider.
He said: “I as local MP, local councillors, residents’ groups and Police Authority members were all in the dark about this until the decision was taken. There is a great deal of concern locally and I want to see proper consultation done.
“I have asked that the decision is put on hold until police have gathered more information about how well-used and valued the public inquiry desk service is in Wath – to the public as well as the police’s neighbourhood teams.
“My experience and knowledge of local sentiment about the police station suggests the loss of this established point of public contact in Wath risks damaging confidence in local policing operations.
“I am continuing to press both Ch Supt Tweed and South Yorkshire Chief Constable Med Hughes to find a solution that puts the views and confidence of local residents first and ensures the best possible community policing service in the Wentworth North area.”
People can still sign the petition at Mr Healey’s constituency office, 79 High Street, Wath-upon-Dearne.
Notes to editors
Photo attached of the campaign launch in December outside Wath police station, showing John Healey MP, Wath councillors Alan Atkin, Alan Gosling and Alex Sangster and members of Wath Community Partnership.