One of the first examples of political mischief I experienced in Brentwood and Ongar was the story put about by trouble makers that the Brentwood Police Station was being shut down. I was pleased to establish, at the very beginning of the General Election campaign that nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes, the police are moving out of their building on London Road. It was old and run down and the cost of updating it would have been unacceptably high. Moreover, the public weren’t using it - a review found that on average only five people a month visited the building to report a crime.
But the closure the old building does not mean Essex Police are moving out of Brentwood. Very far from it. Our local police officers are looking forward to moving into new premises in Brentwood Town Hall. This is in a more central location and will help the police and public easily access services from the Council, Brentwood Mind and the Community Safety Partnership.
A considerable amount of effort is being put into allowing Essex police officers to spend more time out and about, by giving them new mobile technology on which to complete their paperwork rather than having to get back to the office to type up their reports each time they have attended an incident.
This move is helping to save money and improve services. Those who suggest otherwise should take note that our excellent team of local police officers are very much in favour of the changes underway.