Police station is being put to full use

I would like to reply to C Williams letter (Crow November 6) regarding the ever so grand Royston police station being no use to the town. Royston police station is being fully utilised. The top floor is used by an intelligence unit of the police, whi

I would like to reply to C Williams' letter (Crow November 6) regarding "the ever so grand" Royston police station being no use to the town.

Royston police station is being fully utilised. The top floor is used by an intelligence unit of the police, while the lower floor is used by the police team who look after Royston and the rural area.

This consists of the Neighbourhood policing team - one inspector, one sergeant, four Pcs, and six PCSOs - who operate a shift system from 8am-10pm during the week and until 3am at weekends.

There is also a 24-hour intervention team on duty which consists of two police officers on each shift.

With regard to the claim that the 24-hour police presence is being provided from Hertford, that is absolute nonsense.

I agree that the front desk could open for longer and should be manned entirely by civilian staff.

I think it is better to have police on the streets and available to attend incidents rather than sitting at the front desk waiting for a member of the public to pop in.

The portable building you've seen less than 100 metres from the police station has nothing to do with the police.

I suggest C Williams obtains a copy of the Safer Neighbourhood monthly newsletter and has a read of it.

This will give you a better idea of how Royston is being policed.

Royston's crime rate is among the lowest in the county, and indeed the country, so how about a bit of praise for them instead of suggesting we demolish their offices?

Then Royston's policing may well end up being done from Hertford!

Bill Davidson

Chairman Royston Neighbourhood Panel