Web campaign to keep Arundel police station open

Paul Dendle, Arun councillor for the town, has set up a Facebook group, Keep Arundel’s Police Station Open, to draw attention the plans by Sussex Police to have the facility open only for people who have made an appointment in advance.

Sussex Police Authority has launched a consultation over proposed changes to police station opening hours across the county as it struggles to cope with cuts in its grant from central government.

Mr Dendle said: “I think it’s a negative step to withdraw public access to the police station.”

He called on the authority to look into new ways of serving the community, possibly involving sharing premises with the fire and ambulance services.

Concern about the possible closure was also raised at Thursday’s meeting of Arundel Town Council.

Town councillor Peter Moss said: “It’s a matter of considerable concern to local residents.”

Deputy mayor Anne Harriott said she had met the town’s MP Nick Herbert, who is also the policing minister, the previous Saturday, and he had not been aware of the proposed change to the police station’s hours.

Town councillor Hugh Wilson said: “It’s not going to be open – it will just be used for the police to have their lunch.

“If they are closing our police station, let’s have a few more bobbies”