1,000 want community police station in Southend to stay open (From Echo)

1,000 want community police station in Southend to stay open

6:43pm Friday 29th July 2011 in Southend

SOUTHEND’S district police commander has moved to reassure worried residents after accepting their petition to keep open a community police station.

Chief Insp Dave Colwell passed the 1,000-name document to HQ and said it showed the strength of feeling to keep the base at Temple Sutton school, Southend.

Although he couldn’t give any guarantees, he said community policing in the area would remain strong, regardless of what the future holds.

Mr Colwell said: “Due to the £41million savings Essex Police have had to make, we have had to undertake a review about our whole estate.

“As yet no decisions have been made on offices or stations, but whatever the outcome, a neighbourhood policing team will continue to work in the Temple Sutton ward, led by an inspector with a team of sergeants, constables and PCSOs.

“These officers will deal with community issues and attend community meetings. Meanwhile, I will forward the petition to headquarters so they are aware of local feeling.”

Tensions have peaked since four schoolgirls were sexually assaulted in Cluny Square, Southend, a month ago, and there has been a series of arsons at the town’s Longbow and Bewley tower blocks. There are also concerns about drug-dealing in Sutton Court and Temple Court flats.

Tory councillor Peter Ashley said: “If we had canvassed the whole ward, we could have got 5,000 signatures.”