The Meadows area of Nottingham could soon see a boost in police response times and visibility if plans for a permanent base go ahead. It comes after Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has made an offer to buy space for response and neighbourhood policing teams to operate from.
Nottinghamshire Police would be stationed at London Road fire station, alongside fire service colleagues. The current tenants, Nottingham City Council’s emergency planning staff, could move out by March 2023.
The plan to sell the lease has been recommended for approval and is set for a decision by the city council’s executive board on Tuesday, November 22. Commissioner Henry, who is responsible for Nottinghamshire Police’s estate, said: “I’m excited about the prospect of securing space at this key strategic site."
Read more: Nottingham City Council to discuss step forward for permanent police station in the Meadows
She added: “It is something that Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has been driving to achieve for some time now and I’m delighted that our hard work means we are now close to making it a reality. Residents in The Meadows could soon see a greater visible presence and I’m sure they will be delighted at the reassuring prospect of having a police station on their doorstep.
"It will mean another collaboration with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and represents good value for money for all parties.” Inspector Karl Thomas, district commander for Nottingham South, which includes The Meadows, welcomed the proposals.
He said: “This is a great opportunity for our neighbourhood officers to become even more integrated into the local community in The Meadows. The move will assist with our response times and visibility in the neighbourhood, and allow us to share resources with our partners better.
"Response and neighbourhood teams would operate from the London Road building and as a policing team we are looking forward to working even more closely with the fire and rescue service on initiatives such as recruitment, engagement and sharing good practice.” The city council’s emergency planning officers would be relocated to the city council’s headquarters at nearby Loxley House.
Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This is a great example of partnership working which will have a really positive impact on The Meadows. Having a dedicated base to support local residents and provide continued visible presence is a boost for the area.
"We are content for our emergency planning staff to return to Loxley House to facilitate this.” Area manager Damien West, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have previously shared our station at London Road with a neighbourhood policing team on a smaller scale and have a long history of working collaboratively with Nottinghamshire Police at a number of sites across the county, including our joint headquarters at Sherwood Lodge, and at operational incidents.
"This project will allow us to collaborate more closely, ensure that we make the best use of our resources and that our communities have the best response from our services. We look forward to welcoming our police colleagues to the station."
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