Forum Topic

ealing police station to move into WH Smiths

I caught the tail end of the local news last night that some stations will be moving into post offices. I now can't find a specific recent link to this, but is it true?having a quick search of "Ealing Polic station to close" brings up references from 2006 onwards. I could see it working by merging into council buildings, but not WH Smiths on the high street surely?

David Eales ● 4829d11 Comments

I have to agree with that as well but It certainly seems to me that much of the beaurocracy is to satisfy legal requirements.I've sat in many a court and seen cases chucked out over administrative errors or minor ppints of procedure. And we have all read of the same sort of thing with much bigger more sensationalist cases.There is of course, the other side of the coin. if you are wrongly arrested or charged or even a victim, you do want to be treated properly and everything noted. Like in a hospital when a patient demands a translator. Everyone has to remain present but it can take hours.

Michael Brandt ● 4828d

Not sure the above comment about time wasting is really down to lawyers.If you've ever given a statement or had a meeting with the police you'll I'm sure have come to a different conclusion. They have extremely antiquated ways of working that mean the most simple administrative task can easily take half a day. This is particularly the case in the run up to shift change overs when office based tasks suddenly take a lot more time and mean the officer can't return back to beat duties before the end of the shift.

Tony Gould ● 4828d

If the facilities for sharing were good and fit for 21st century purpose then it would be a good idea.But we don't have that as anything suitable is sold off.The amount of time (mentioned quite rightly) wasted by officers who do make an arrest is down to lawyers who will scour for the slightest flaw in the arrest and prosecution procedure and get their client out on a technicality.It's this same legal trickery that makes it so difficult for the police to deal with low level crime and anti social behaviour.Without significant changes in the laws that affect all of us, I cannot see how moving police out of police stations will make any difference.

Michael Brandt ● 4829d

I actually think this is a good thing.The proposal for Ealing police is to increase the number of constables and cut back on senior and back office staff:664 officers in 2011 rising to 727 by 2015 plus an additional 93 SNT officers - this represents more than 10% more officers.On average, our policemen and women arrest 9 people a year per officer - and this leads to an average of 1 conviction. Much of the reason for the low arrest rates and poor conviction rates is that the police spend more than 50% of their time not on the streets but in the police stations.It therefore follows that by reducing the number of stations and reforming working practices that we will not only get more officers, but more officers on the streets more of the time - or at least that's what some forces like Thames Valley did several years ago to good effect.It's worth reading the proposals before coming to your own conclusions though:http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagement

Tony Gould ● 4829d

With the planned closure of a number of prisons, and now news that Police Stations will also be closed it gives the impression that the authorities have just given up on catching criminals!Policing is a 24 hour business, not something that should be done during opening hours.It is hard enough to get police to come urgently a crime is reported, in one case we waited 3 hours for the to turn up after we reported daylight theft of lead from a nearby property! This happened a few years ago.The culprits even had the opportunity to make a second visit before there was any signs of the police!It makes one think - why bother!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4829d

Jean, while Chiswick police station is staying open, it will be staffed only during office hours. At any other time your 'access' will be via 999 or 101, depending on how serious it is.

Susan Kelly ● 4829d

Police in Post Offices. Er.... what Post Offices?Proper Post Offices are even more rare than proper police stations.What Post Office or Sub office has parking facilities for even it's own vehicles?Where will the Police park their vehicles. Keep their equipment, put prisoners and evidence?If we had Post Offices like many in Europe and the USA where that have drive in facilities, parking, are spacious and fully accessible  then that would be a great idea but here all that has been neglected and sites sold off.WH Smiths might make a few quid from it but hardly a move forward in a country or rapid population rises and increased needs on policing that brings.Bonkers.

Michael Brandt ● 4829d

Surely the hours would be very restricted and contact with the help desk limited to the opening hours of W H Smiths?I would think that residents would require access to the Police around the clock!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4829d

Yes, thank you from others in Ealing - we're most interested in matters of our Police Service. We'll watch this space avidly.

Gerry Tan ● 4829d

thanks for the swift response. I had assumed it was still at the early stages but thank you for the update.

David Eales ● 4829d

We are consulting as to where the public front counters will be before any decisions are made.  There is a public meeting at Ealing Town Hall Tuesday, 5 February 20:00 - 21:00. Please feel free to come along and invite your neighbours etc.  Please see the below website and register there. http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagementEaling Police

Ealing Police ● 4829d