Police to use community centre as Craven Arms station closes doors
Police officers will use a community centre to meet residents and hold meetings after the doors to the town's existing station closed for the final time.
A deal has been struck which will see Craven Arms Community Centre in Newington Way used as a community policing post.
Members of West Mercia Police's safer neighbourhood team will host monthly Partners and Communities Together meetings at the centre and will be available to meet local residents.
It comes after the town's police station on the A49 closed for good on Friday. It had ceased to be a working station in September last year, but had continued to be used as a point of contact for officers, and will now be sold off.
Those behind the move have said it will keep a police presence in Craven Arms, while police chiefs have said it could help strengthen links with the community.
Helen Blake, speaking for West Mercia Police, said the existing station had been unmanned and only used for meetings and as a contact point since September 30 last year, while the force waited for facilities at the community centre to become available.
Councillor David Evans, who represents the town on Shropshire Council, said he didn't think the move would change anything in terms of policing in the town
He said: "It keeps a police presence in Craven Arms, which is a good thing. It's not the same as having a full time policeman in the town, but the station was only manned part time, the police are contactable and we could have lost police presence altogether to Church Stretton and Ludlow."
Inspector Rob Thomas, who is responsible for policing in south Shropshire, said: "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to hold our PACT meetings and surgeries at the community centre. It shows our commitment to the community and also enables us to continue to strengthen our links with the people of Craven Arms."
Barrie Sheldon, deputy police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, said: "It is important that our safer neighbourhood teams are as visible and accessible as possible, therefore I am pleased that they will continue to have a presence in the local area."
Jean Jarvis, chief executive of South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, which manages the community centre, said: "We welcome West Mercia Police to Craven Arms Community Centre – a hub at the very heart of the Craven Arms community."
