FOREST POLICE STATIONS TO CLOSE

Gloucestershire Police Authority has announced it has decided to close Coleford Police Station and move staff currently working there into shared accommodation at the Forest of Dean District Council offices.

Both Lydney and Cinderford Police Stations will also be vacated, with officers from those stations moving into the FODDC offices.

The communities in Lydney and Cinderford will be consulted on the best place to site *Police Points in the towns.

Police Authority Chairman, Councillor Rob Garnham, said: "Moving the police base in to the council offices in Coleford will improve upon the already excellent partnership working that happens between the police and local authority. It is also the best possible use of public money. Council buildings and police buildings are, in reality, all owned by the tax payer and we have a duty to make sure we get the best value out of every pound we spend on our estates. 

"Therefore by sharing offices like this we can make sure we keep to our pledge of 'bobbies before buildings' and money saved can go to protect the policing front line.

"It is important to remember that there will be no impact on the level of policing in these areas. There will continue to be a visible and accessible policing presence across the whole of the Forest of Dean."

Forest Policing Superintendent Phil Haynes said: "We already have a very strong working relationship with the district council, which is vital when there are so many issues we can deal with together, including licensing and anti social behaviour.

"The district council has kindly offered us a base for all of our Forest officers, and we will ensure we still maintain our patrols and response to incidents all over the district."

Councillor Brian Robinson, cabinet member for Efficient Council and Finance at Forest of Dean District Council said: "We are very pleased to be able to share our offices with the police. It makes sense as we have the space here and will mean we can both be more efficient and make the best use of public money.

"For the community it will mean they will be able to speak to a council officer and police officer under the same roof. For us it will mean we can build on the successful partnership work we already do with the police for the benefit of local people."

The move into the district council offices will not take place until later this year, once practical issues including IT are dealt with.