Mobile police office covers rural 'hot spots'

As well as putting the multi-purpose vehicle on patrol, police in Dalton-in-Furness have also found money within the budget to re-open the town's police station to the public.

The station was closed about seven years ago when many other rural offices were axed because of a lack of funding.

Police officers have continued to use the station but it has not been open to the public.

Starting on Monday, February 17, the station will be open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to midday.

Sergeant Geoff Booth, who works from both Ulverston and Dalton police stations, said in time and "when money would allow" the opening hours might be extended.

The new mobile police office, which was launched on Monday, has been put on the road to improve communi-cation and contact with the general public living in rural areas.

Sergeant Booth said to start with, it would be used in "hot spots of minor crime and nuisance" in the Furness area. This will include Broughton-in-Furness, Askam-in-Furness, Kirkby-in-Furness and Great Urswick.

The mobile office will visit these areas on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

"People will be able to call in and speak to a police officer about their concerns.

"It is aimed at bringing back contact with officers in rural areas since the closure of rural stations.

"If you look at the western area, there is only Barrow and Ulverston police stations and nothing in between and neither of those are open 24 hours a

day.

"At least with the mobile office, people in rural areas will be given the chance again to speak to police officers," said Sergeant Booth.

The timetable of when and where the mobile police office will be each month will be advertised by parish councils on notice boards and newsletters.

On Thursday, February 27, it will be in Great Urswick from 3pm to 5pm; Duke Street in Askam-in-Furness from 6pm to 7pm; and The Square in Broughton-in-Furness from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

February 13, 2003 10:00