Police: Station Closures

Lord Taylor of Blackburn Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, it is not unusual for the Opposition to lead with their chin, so perhaps I ought to remind them of what one of their own former police spokesmen said only too recently. Vernon Coaker, the former shadow Police Minister, said:

“Ideally, you want the station to remain in the town but if that's not possible and they don't have the money then we have to look at alternatives … A lot of areas do operate without a station but they all have a presence”.

[Lord Taylor of Blackburn]

My Lords, what would the Minister’s reaction be to the recommendation, if it was made, that the police station at Penrith close?

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, I am not aware of such a suggestion, but, if it was made, obviously I would want to discuss it with the chief constable of the authority I happen to live in. However, it would be for him and not for me or for any other Home Office Minister to decide what was appropriate for Cumbria policing and policing in Penrith.