THE number of police stations in Essex could be dramatically reduced, due to rocketing maintenance costs.

A shock report revealed the force’s buildings need £30million of maintenance – nearly half their total value of £70million. The report comes after some stations have already been shut, while others have had front offices closed and public opening hours cut.

The details on the force’s 80 properties were revealed by Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston as a review is carried out into what should be done to the buildings.

There are three stark options– reducing or moving police headquarters in Chelmsford, reducing stations to just six major hubs or having just one station to every council area.

Mr Alston also said he wasn’t averse to police sharing space with other authorities or emergency services, which is already happening in Brightlingsea and Tiptree.

He said “These ongoing costs cannot be justified and it is necessary to make tough decisions on the future of police buildings, including stations.

“A review of the options is nearing completion, but no final decisions have been made. The sale of some police stations, reduction of the size of the headquarters and possible creation of centralised policing hubs are all being considered.”

Investment in technology and modern buildings was needed to tackle new and emerging crimes, particularly from online crime such as grooming and fraud, he said. Money did not need to be spent inefficiently on ageing premises.

He said technology was allowing officers to work remotely and be on the streets as crimes happen, rather than be based at stations.

Mr Alston added: “This is very much about working in partnership with the community. In some areas, police are successfully sharing accommodation with the fire service to positive effect.

“We have to work with local authorities and our community safety partners to explore further similar possibilities.

But what will be key to any decisions is that our police are best-placed and best equipped to deliver quality and accessible policing.”

We’ll fight to guard what we have got

BASILDON borough has three police stations open to the public, in Basildon, Pitsea and Billericay. Although there is no certaintly at this stage any would close, campaigners are ready to fight to protect their stations.

Basildon Council leader Phil Turner, who also represents Billericay, said: “If police retreat from those areas, you will see an increase in crime.

“Police have done a fantastic job in Basildon getting a grip on violent crime. In fact, all crime is under control, but we want them to go further. They can’t do that if they retreat into one facility.

“People will be anxious about this news, particularly in Billericay, where we had the threat of closure some years ago.

Public bodies all suffer from austerity, but it doesn’t mean police station closures have to be inevitable. I am not expecting a closure of our stations. But we have to be open-minded about the suggestion of sharing a space with other authorities or emergency services.”

Canvey town, district and county councillor Ray Howard said: “We are in difficult times. Essex County Council needs to save £49million as well. If buildings are just sitting there, it’s ludicrious to let them sit there when they could be put to useful purpose.

“I will always fight for Canvey because it’s unique. It has two Control of Major Accident Hazards sites and when we have all the problems with flooding we need the police to have access.”

Commissioner to seek tax rise

THE force has already had to find £47.3million in savings over four years and now must find another £46million in savings over the next three years.

Government cash makes up about two thirds of police funding, but Whitehall cuts mean the force has to run on £172.8million next year.

If it made the savings just by cutting staff, it would mean losing 557 police officers, 77 PCSOs and 516 police staff.

Almost 600 officer posts will have been lost by 2016, with the number of PCSOs almost halved to just 250 by 2016.

Commissioner Nick Alston is working with Essex Police chief constable, Stephen Kavanagh, in a bid to prevent more job losses.

The commissioner will discuss options to reduce the force’s assets at the Police and Crime Panel meeting on Thursday.

He will also ask for approval to increase the council tax precept by 1.996 per cent, meaning an increase per household of £2.88 for those living in a Band B property.

It will equate to an increase from £144.27 to £147.15, which woukd raise £1.7million in a bid to meet some of the shortfall in Government funding.