New base will help police tackle crime more efficiently (From The Advertiser Series)
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Town centre base provides additional support for Bishop Auckland police
4:54pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News
By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)
POLICE officers in Bishop Auckland are now better equipped to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre thanks to a new office.
Bosses at Morrisons, in Newgate Street, have given officers a room in the supermarket to use as a base to research and log crimes without having to go back to the main office on Woodhouse Lane.
Three beat officers and four PCSOs have access to the police database through a secure laptop in the room and they will be closer on hand to deal with incidents in the town centre as and when they arise.
The scheme is already up-and-running and Inspector Martin Peace, of Bishop Auckland police, said it already proving to be a big help. He is hoping to set up a similar office at General Bucher Court, which is now a centre for homeless people aged 16 to 25. The idea is to get the two teams of police working together as much as possible.
“This new office means they (the officers) won’t need to be coming back to the station all the time,” said Insp Peace. “They have everything they need in the office and it is all secure.
“It will make us more efficient and we will be able to respond to anything in the town centre faster and work better together.
“Obviously none of this could happen without the help of Morrisons and we are very grateful for that. It also gives staff and customers in the store that extra bit of peace of mind because with officers wandering around hopefully the shoplifters will think twice.”
Store manager Alan Mather added: “The officers are often in the store and it came about after we got chatting.
“It is ideal for all parties because they are closer to the town centre and hopefully our customers will have that added peace of mind from seeing the officers.
“The only thing we have asked is if officers can circulate the store when they are about.”
