Changes planned at Alcester police station

Warwickshire Police is changing the way it delivers front desk services in Alcester later this year.

The force is teaming up with Stratford District Council and on August 2 the services currently available from the front desk at Alcester police station will relocate to Globe House, in Priory Road.

The move follows a successful pilot scheme in Warwick, where front desk services have been relocated to Shire Hall alongside Warwickshire Direct where members of the public can now access a wider range of services under one roof.

Services currently available at Globe House include bill payments and enquiries about all district council services. The office is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, closed Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays.

From August the services will include those currently offered on the Alcester police station front desk such as reporting crime and anti social behaviour incidents and lost and found property enquiries.

Inspector Emma Bastone, from the Warwickshire Police customer contact team, said: "Warwickshire Police is reviewing the way it delivers services to the local community in order to provide a more effective and cost effective way of protecting people from harm.

"The pilot scheme which began in Warwick in December has been very successful and members of the public appreciate being able to access more services under one roof.

"We welcome this opportunity to team up with Stratford District Council and offer this kind of service in Alcester and feel sure that the local community will benefit.

"The police station in Alcester will still be an operational base and there will be no reduction in policing in the town as a result of these changes."

Cllr Stephen Thirlwell, Member and Customer Services portfolio holder at Stratford District Council, said: "This is great news for Alcester residents to have such joint services available under one roof. I hope that in working with partners in the future we will not only be able to extend the services at Globe House, but introduce similar extended services throughout the district."

District council staff will receive training from experienced police front desk staff before the move takes place and will be given ongoing support.

The move was announced publicly at a well attended Community Forum meeting at St Benedict's Catholic High School, Alcester last night (Tuesday June 22).