Last updated at 19:54, Thursday, 17 May 2012

Maryport police station looks set to lose its two front counter staff as Cumbria Constabulary tries to save another £1 million.

The police have announced that the number of front counters, where the public can meet police, could be reduced from 17 to five across Cumbria.

Any decision to reduce Maryport’s service would be strongly opposed by the town council.

Maryport police station is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 5pm and on Fridays from 9am to 4.30pm.

Options being considered include having front counters only at Workington, Carlisle, Whitehaven and two south Cumbria stations.

A second option would add five stations on a part-time basis, with only Cockermouth considered for this option in West Cumbria.

Cumbria police spend £1m a year keeping front counters open, which they say is the equivalent of employing 30 police officers.

Police say that a consultation has been launched and no firm decision has been taken.

It was announced last year that the town’s police station would close this year and that a police base would be established at the fire station on Mealpot Road.

However, Chief Constable Stuart Hyde recently said the decision to move to the fire station was not irreversible and he would look at the possibility of moving a police base to the Town Hall.

But Allerdale council confirmed that it was investigating “viable options” for all its buildings including Maryport Town hall, which puts the building’s future in doubt.

First published at 19:21, Thursday, 17 May 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk