In my gut I don't like the idea of police stations closing. But we have to be efficient - especially in an era of contracting budgets. SNTs need to be near to their patches. I know some don't work out of police stations: some work in premises that aren't open to the public - offices on their patch. I like the idea of front offices - where members of the public can walk in to make an enquiry. But, again, they seem rather under used and the MPS doesn't help itself in this field by directing people to them rather than sending out officers - to calls that really aren't urgent and could be dealt with at a police station. It's something I'd encourage: but culturally it doesn't seem popular or "what's done".

It's not a straightforward issue: and if we want to have the debate let's at least have an informed debate.