Local councillors have lashed out at plans which are expected to see Newton Aycliffe police’s response team being relocated to Bishop Auckland.
Durham Constabulary have confirmed its 10-year lease agreement with Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has come to an end – and is seeking new premises on the town.
But the force says its response operations are currently “under review” – and are expected to be relocated to nearby stations, with Aycliffe Today understanding it most likely to be Bishop Auckland.
The town’s neighbourhood team – which consists of PCs, PCSOs and their supervision – will continue to operate from the fire station on a permanent basis, or until new premises are found, a police spokesperson told us.
Local councillors Ken Robson and Arun Chandran have written about it in this weekend’s Newton News, with Cllr Robson claiming Durham Constabulary is “contemptuous” of Aycliffe residents.
And Lib Dem councillor Nev Jones told Aycliffe Today: “It’s absolutely outrageous and just wrong, I feel very strongly about this.
“Aycliffe residents pay a higher than average council tax precept which includes police services. We pay a lot of money to have a proper police force and presence.
“Especially in light of recent events, it’s imperative that Newton Aycliffe has response officers on the ground who can react to incidents within minutes.
“If the police go ahead with these ridiculous plans, it will take 15-20 minutes for response officers to get here.”
Durham Constabulary used to have a fully operational station on Central Avenue, which included a CID team, a fleet of vehicles and police cells.
The building was sold off to developers in 2011 and eventually demolished in 2015, making way for a church and care home.
Cllr Jones added: “Where has the money from that sale gone?
“For Durham Constabulary to treat Newton Aycliffe, with a population about the same as Bishop Auckland and larger than Spennymoor, with such little respect is not right.”
Durham Constabulary insists Newton Aycliffe will continue to have 24-7 response officers.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Following the conclusion of a ten-year arrangement with the Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary is seeking a suitable venue in Newton Aycliffe to house its Response and Neighbourhood Teams.
“The constabulary continues to enjoy a positive partnership relationship with its Fire and Rescue colleagues, and the neighbourhood team will continue to operate from the fire station on a permanent basis or until such time as new premises are found.
“Response operations are currently under review and it is anticipated that temporary arrangements will see some service delivered from neighbouring stations.
“It has always been the case that residents of Newton Aycliffe have been serviced, in respect of response policing from Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and beyond where demand requires it.
“As the public would expect, effective plans are in place to ensure high-quality policing services are maintained while the search for permanent premises in Newton Aycliffe continues.
“It will always be the case that the residents of Newton Aycliffe have a 24/7 response in terms of emergency calls and those incidents which require a fast-time response.”