Dear Sir,
I am delighted that Cllr George Gray now wants a new Police Station in the Town Centre. Just two months from the next elections. I would point out that at the two meetings at which Peter Thompson Chair of the Durham Police Authority attended at the Town Council neither he nor any other Councillor called for or asked for a New Police Station in the Town Centre. Indeed when Great Aycliffe Residents Association wrote to the Council asking it to join forces with it for precisely that, the Town Council bluntly refused.
Only through the efforts of GARA with Public support and Newton News did we achieve the concession that Peter Thompson gave and Ron Hogg (now Police Crime Commissioner) confirmed, namely that of a Police Facility in the Fire Station offering exactly the same level of police service to the public as was previously provided when the Town Centre Station was open.
GARA the public and Newton News achieved this and with no support from any Councillor at any Council meeting. Personally I do not think it important that Inspector Mark Hall or PC Holohan need be present at the PACT meeting I would rather they were free to fight crime, PCSO Gavin Laycock has done an excellent job in attending these meetings and dealing with issues raised. Though I am sure deep down he would rather be out combating crime too but some one has to attend these meetings!
The Police have done an excellent job in West Ward and I have every confidence they will continue to.
Arun M Chandran
