HC Deb 19 October 2001 vol 372 cc1401-2W
Mr. Baron

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations in Essex have(a) closed and (b) restricted their opening hours in each year since 1997. [6223]

Mr. Denham

The information is set out in the table.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Reduced hours 5 0 5 0 5
Closed 0 1 41 16 4
Increased hours 0 0 0 3 0
Opened/acquired 0 0 1 4 0

Figures for 1999 and 2000 include the closure of detached beat offices in rural areas that were sold as a result of the force's rural review. These were houses with a police office attached (one room dedicated as a police office or front counter) staffed by one officer when on duty. Proceeds of sales are being invested in rural police station facilities.