RE: Looe Police Station Rebuild (Cornish Times 19.03.10) – is this another plan to waste yet more money?
Looe Police Station, opposite the Globe Inn, was built in the late 1970s, early 1980s, as a purpose-built police station.
I remember that, at the time, it accommodated many more police officers that it presently does.
I think that there were three sergeants and two constables, plus some detectives. I apologise if my memory is wrong with these figures.
Several months ago, we were informed that the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, sorry, I mean police force, needed to reduce its numbers, due to a lack of funds.
Have crime figures reduced since the 1970s?
I think not.
In order to boost funds for the police force and to save the Looe council money, why not consider:
1) Letting all the spare rooms and parking spaces in the police station to holiday-making police officers. Charge them the appropriate rate for the time of year.
2) Refurbish/update the current police station, if necessary, but don't demolish it.
3) Leave the 'One Stop Shop' where it is. (The One Stop Shop is a relatively new idea in Looe. A considerable amount of money must have been spent on locating it within the library building on the Millpool and, of course, all the advertising publications supporting this facility). Why waste more money?
4) Alternatively, another thought to resolve the problem could be to relocate the police station within the New Guildhall, parking the police vehicles close by. I'm sure the Harbour Commissioners would be happy to lease some parking spaces to the police force. Then the police officers would be readily available for any likely problems within the town.
What is wrong with the present council chambers within the New Guildhall?
What is the opinion of the East Looe Town Trust?
R E G LAMERTON
East Looe