New Police Base Opens in Old Bexley
A new police base opened in Hurst Road, Bexley on Friday, 27 April, for use
by two local Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Teams - Blendon and Penhill and St
Mary's. It was officially declared open for business by Police Borough Commander,
Tony Dawson and Bexley Council's Cabinet Member for Community Affairs, Cllr
Katie Perrior.
The teams have moved into the former caretaker's bungalow in the grounds of
Old Bexley CE Primary School. At the bungalow, which has been specially adapted
for their use, they will be more accessible to residents and businesses and able
to deal more quickly and effectively with local problems.
Until now they have been parading from Sidcup Police Station. The move enables
them to spend more time patrolling their wards because they do not have to return
to the police station for every inquiry.
Cllr Perrior says: "The figures released this month by the Met show that
crime rates are dropping faster in Bexley than anywhere else in London. A huge
part of this can be attributed to the work of Bexley Community Safety Partnership
and the emphasis on community policing. The opening of yet another local police
base is a welcome reinforcement in the fight against crime and disorder."
Following on from the early success of the first police base in Welling School,
there are now four other community bases in the borough - Westwood College,
Howbury Centre, Gallions Close and Gallions Housing Association. The Safer Neighbourhoods
Policing Teams also have offices or temporary accommodation at Bexleyheath School,
North Cray Community Centre, Hadlow Road and Business Academy Bexley.
Sergeant Roy Kitchener of the Blendon & Penhill Safer Neighbourhoods Policing
Team says: "This move to Old Bexley Primary School has placed us closer
to our community, enables us to respond faster and spend more time patrolling
the ward."
Bexley Police Partnership Manager, Chief Inspector Chris Hafford says: "The
introduction of Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Teams across the borough and the
demand for high visibility policing has served to underline the need for local
patrol bases. We are looking to increase the number of our police bases and locating
more of our policing teams at the heart of local communities. By doing so we
will be better placed to deal with local issues of real concern to our communities."
The St Mary' Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team can be contacted on 020 8721
2816 or email BexleyStMary.snt@met.police.uk and Blendon & Penhill Policing
Team on 020 8721 2503 or email Blendon.Penhill.snt@met.police.uk. In an emergency
call 999.
