Police station for Bath now on the cards?

A proper police station could be on its way to Bath, following a campaign by the city’s MP Wera Hobhouse, and Councillor Dine Romero.

The BBC have reported that talks between Avon and Somerset Police and BANES are underway, and that an announcement will be made later this month. It’s rumoured that the discussions have been around space in Lewis House, originally earmarked for the ill fated library move.

Wera Hobhouse and Southdown Lib Dem Councillor Dine Romero started the campaign for a proper police station back in the city in September, which has received a large amount of popular support.

Wera and Dine’s petition for a central, public facing police station in the city has attracted well over 2000 signatures.

Bath’s old police station on Manvers Street was closed in 2015, and an enquiry desk for local people was set up inside Bath and North East Somerset Council’s One Stop Shop. However the desk’s opening hours were recently cut by 50%, prompting an outcry amongst residents in Bath.

Wera Hobhouse said: “If this report is true, this is vindication for the thousands of people who supported our campaign. Bath has almost 100,000 residents, with over 6 million tourists a year…it’s obvious that Bath needs a proper police station.”

“Figures show that sexual offences, robberies and violent offending all increased in 2017 in Avon and Somerset, with a jump in youth crime as well. The police need the right tools to do their job, and I’m very happy for them, and for the people of Bath if a police station truly is coming back to the city.”

Dine Romero, Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader, said: “I’m delighted if this is true. We really need a visible police presence in the city. This will provide a focal point for police, residents and visitors alike, as well as a space for joined up working for the police and partners.”

A spokesperson for B&NES told Bath Newseum:.

“We understand Avon and Somerset Police are actively looking at increasing the presence for the Bath neighbourhood policing team in the city centre of Bath. We have been in talks with the police about possible options and negotiations are on-going. As soon as further progress has been made we will make a joint announcement.”