BOBBIES are based back in Lutterworth for the first time in 11 years.
A new neighbourhood police office has opened at The Pavilion in Coventry Road.
Officers will start and finish their beats from the new base – meaning they will not to travel to and from Market Harborough.
Leicestershire Police says response times in the area will also improve, as the office will also be used by response officers every day.
At a community meeting last summer, residents and members of Lutterworth Town Council raised their concerns about not having a police presence based in the town since the local station closed in 2013, prompting the force to work with the council to find a suitable location.
The office is not yet open to the public, but the force says an online appointment booking system is ‘being looked into’.
It was officially opened on Monday (March 25) by Lutterworth Town Mayor David Jones, Insp Liz Perry – the Neighbourhood Policing Commander for Harborough and Wigston – and Ch Insp Lindsey Madeley-Harland.
Local officers who will be using the new office include PCSOs Steve Adams and Alex Caswell-Jones, Sgt Charlie Davies, and PCs Reece Breslin and James Day.
Insp Perry said: “Following the community meeting in Lutterworth in July 2023, the community asked for the return of a policing base in the town. As the NPA Commander for the area, I listened to those views and worked with Lutterworth Town Council to see what we could do.
“Thanks to lots of hard work and support, we now have a brand new office right in the middle of Lutterworth, allowing my officers a more visible presence in the town.
“A combined community effort has led to the opening of the office, which will house both the neighbourhood police team and response officers.
“Although the office won’t have a front enquiry area where the public can attend, the community will be able to make an appointment to speak with the local team.
“This is in a great location in the middle of Lutterworth allowing officers to be a more visible presence in the town. It is great news for everyone.”
Residents can keep in touch with the local policing team by signing up for Neighbourhood Link, Leicestershire Police’s community messaging service, which provides news, updates and event information, and invites feedback to identify local priorities.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/23343yww for more information.
