Wharfedale News
Horsforth Police Station could close for good
9:00am Friday 17th February 2012
Horsforth’s police station is earmarked for closure, it has been revealed.
But the force is planning to base its community policing team in Town Street and is considering the idea of CCTV cameras on Horsforth roundabout, after suggestions from local councillors.
The station – a base for West Yorkshire Police’s rapid response unit which is being moved to Weetwood – has been closed to the public since 1988.
Local councillors were told about the proposed closure after being invited to a meeting with police.
Coun Chris Townsley said: “What we said was we are not happy about this, but what could soften the blow is if we could have the PCSOs based in Town Street somewhere. We suggested if they really wanted to do something positive, how about CCTV on the roundabout?”
He said an agreement had been reached that PCSOs would be based at the old library in Town Street, and the force was also considering the suggestion of CCTV and a vehicle registration plate recognition system on Horsforth roundabout.
“We don’t want anything to close down,” he said. “But if they are going to keep taking things from us we will insist that they give something back.”
“If they agree to the things we are discussing I think we will be a lot better off.”
He said the closure of the station would save the force a lot of money and would leave it with a good piece of real estate.
“They are going to make a lot of money – and we want a piece of that,” he said.
A spokesman from West Yorkshire Police said: “We have discussed improving the visibility of neighbourhood policing within Horsforth with the town councillors, the MP and the city councillors, and we would like to reassure the public that any decision about the closure of police buildings will not affect the policing or response capacity.”