RUGBY’S police station will close an hour-and-a-half earlier on weekdays in September for an ‘interim period’ which would become permanent.
Dwindling resources mean Warwickshire Police is reviewing its front-counter services across the county.
From September 1, Rugby’s front desk – which currently stays open until 8pm – will close at 6.30pm.
Chief Inspector Sarah Corteen said: “We are currently reviewing front counters to make sure we make best use of available resources in meeting the changing needs of our communities.
“There will be some changes to opening hours for an interim period while the review is completed.
“A longer-term decision about the provision of front counters will be made and announced in due course.”
Sunday and Bank Holiday opening hours of 10am-4pm will remain the same.
In 2014 the closing time was reduced from midnight to 8pm, after which people must use an intercom outside the station to speak to an operator who will decide whether they need to see an officer.
The previous reduction came following a review into face-to-face dealings between the police and the public which found fewer people visited the station since the 101 non-emergency number was introduced.
In July, new official figures showed crime had gone up by nearly a fifth in Warwickshire – nearly double the average rise across England and Wales. Budget cuts have seen the number of police officers in Warwickshire drop by 138 since 2010.
Warwickshire police advised that as well as calling 999 in an emergency, there was a range of methods to contact them including calling 101, the 24/7 contact points introduced at stations to connect callers to the police, or via ‘Contact Us’ on the police websites.
Rugby Borough Neighbourhood Watch did not respond to a request for comment.
