Concerns about police station closures are on the agenda for tonight’s Kirklees Full Council meeting.
Liberal Democrat councillors have submitted a motion urging the council to form an official stance in light of a review of policing operations.
While no decisions over closures have been made by West Yorkshire Police, the motion calls on Kirklees to ensure that all communities have access to police at a local base.
Golcar Lib Dem Clr Andrew Marchington said: “We live in the real world and there are financial pressures on the police as there are on the council.
“However, local police stations play an important role in communities, providing people with a place they know they can go to see the police when they need to, which is reassuring and gives the public confidence about local policing and local safety.
“Local bases also have benefits for police in terms of information gathering, local knowledge, time spent on patrol, response times and enhanced community relations.
“For these reasons we think the Cabinet needs to look at all the options with the police to make certain that local police stations are maintained.”
The motion calls on the council to notify West Yorkshire Police of Kirklees’ support for local policing teams and police stations.
They also want Cabinet member Clr Peter McBride to examine all options to keep police stations open to the public, which could involve sharing council premises.
Clr Marchington said the police post at Salendine Nook Shopping Centre was an example of joint working.
