THE MOVE to re-instate a police patrol base in Malvern has been praised by the district council.
As reported by The Observer on February 18, ten officers will be brought back to the town’s station as chiefs looked to put an end to ‘isolation in the town’.
In September 2013 significant savings had to be made in the force and it was decided neighbouring Ledbury would operate as a central base for police serving Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.
But now the base has been reinstated in Malvern – a move welcomed by Coun David Hughes, leader of the district council and who represents MHDC on the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel.
“I have worked hard to convince the commissioner that Malvern needs an increased police presence,” Coun Hughes said. “I am pleased to see a local patrol base at Malvern Police Station and I am sure residents will welcome this move as well.
“I have also had several meetings with the commissioner to discuss the options to re-introduce a manned front desk operation in Malvern, which includes the possibility of offering a police signposting service through our hub service in the library.”
However after police confirmed the site would solely be used as a base for officers and not include a front desk open for public use, town councillor Martin Lawrence said he was still concerned about the move.
“The experiment of the response team being based out of our town has proved unworkable,” Coun Lawrence said.
“Thank goodness senior officers have now had a rapid rethink, ending a period when many residents perception was of slower response times.
“It still greatly troubles me that the Police and Crime Commissioner ever allowed the experiment at all.”
The station will house the Safer Neighbourhood Team, uniformed officers, PCSOs, firearms licensing unit, wide loads team and associated administration functions.
