Sometimes communities are faced with certain challenges that have the potential to create negative long term effects for the town and the community as a whole, now and in the future. We are now faced with the real possibility of our Police station being closed, and our response officers relocated to surrounding towns such as Bishop Auckland.
Crime figures readily available on the Police’s website show an increase across the board including anti-social behaviour, theft and violence for the same period last year. Crime in its many forms is on the increase nationally and in our community. We have a residential population of in excess of 26,000, several thousand commute into the town to work on the business park, with several new housing estates springing up as the town expands further into the surrounding countryside.
This is an issue that unites all political groups and individuals on the town council in their condemnation that such an idea should even be considered. The police have to vacate the premises they currently share with the fire service in October of this year, if suitable premises can’t be found to relocate in the town, the outlook is bleak as it’s a real possibility the police station will simply cease to exist and our response officers relocate to other areas.
The town has to find its voice, to speak out loud and clear, and make its feelings known, before such a decision is made, because once it happens it will be too late. Town councillors, Newton News, Aycliffe Radio and Around Town radio show are working together to fight to keep a much needed police presence in the town with its own police station and response officers as part of our community.
The Newton News will be circulating a petition to be located in designated areas so that people in our community can make their feelings known and ensure their views, feelings and concerns are taken into consideration. We can’t allow this to go unchallenged. Please find your voice, speak out and as soon as the petition becomes available please sign it to do everything we can to keep our police station where it needs to be, at the heart of our town and community. Thank you.
Phill & Andy
Around Town, Aycliffe Radio