Police headquarters 'like barracks'

A veteran councillor claims Staffordshire police's new headquarters will be like a high-security army barracks.

The county force is relocating to Weston Road in Stafford from its current base at Cannock Road in the town.

The demolition of 160-year-old Baswich House to make way for redevelopment for housing had upset many in the local community.

Councillor John Francis, who represents Weeping Cross, understood one of the reasons for moving was because the Cannock Road site was not considered secure enough.

He said: "Why in the past with all the troubles in Northern Ireland was it not then fenced in? It was because the leadership of the day knew they were a public body that needed the confidence of the public with them.

"The Weston Road site has fencing and cameras all around it. It is as though the police are retreating into a barracks.

"The decision to relocate the headquarters beggars belief. The headquarters in its present commanding position was open to the public, as all public bodies should be."

Councillor Francis added that open days, summer fetes and other public relations events at the headquarters had been phased out over the years.

Police authority chairman Councillor Mike Poulter revealed that the force was rationalising on to one site at Weston Road to save money to reinvest in front-line policing.

He said: "In days of international terrorism it is important to have regard for the security of our staff."

Councillor Poulter claimed that the force was working to improve confidence in the community and carry out neighbourhood policing.

He said: "We are going out into the community and not retreating from them. Trust and confidence in policing in Staffordshire has never been higher."

Councillor Poulter revealed that the authority was considering holding open days at the new headquarters site.