YEOVIL NEWS: Police and Crime Commissioner meets with MP over police station’s future

THE future of Yeovil police station and policing in the town were the two main points discussed when Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens met with local MP Marcus Fysh.

The police station and its custody suite has been the topic of debate for the past few months, with many residents openly expressing their views regarding the building and policing presence within the town.

At the meeting earlier today (Tuesday, January 19, 2016), Ms Mountstevens reiterated her position to the Yeovil MP that no imminent decisions on the station have yet been made. She also made it clear that regardless of the future of the current building, the police are committed to ensuring that an enquiry office and visible policing presence will remain within the town.

Co-location within Yeovil town centre is one of the options being explored and would support the progress being delivered by the ‘Yeovil One Team,’ which sees a range of agencies working together on various issues facing the communities of Yeovil.

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I committed two years ago to review the Constabulary estate to reduce over-sized and underutilised police buildings by 36% by 2019-20 in order to focus funding on police officer and PCSO numbers.

“Yeovil police station remains within that review due to the fact that only half of the building is being used and is expensive to run. I have agreed to look at options of sub-letting the surplus space.”

The station currently supports a number of functions such as neighbourhood policing, response officers and custody as well as hosting five custody sergeants and eight detention officers despite only receiving on average one detainee ever four hours in a 24-hour period.

PHOTO - ABOVE: The future of Yeovil police station is still in doubt.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

Ms Mountstevens also shared with Marcus Fysh MP an update following her recent scrutiny visit to the Yeovil One Team, a Community Safety Grant supported project made up of police and various other partners.

Representatives at the meeting included police, housing, trading standards, environmental health, mental health and fire service who spoke about various issues including street drinkers, individuals responsible for causing anti-social behaviour in the town centre and ASB linked with supported housing.

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “Multi-agency working across a variety of services and skill sets ensures the highest level of support for helping vulnerable people and those involved in criminal activity.

“The dedication and commitment from everyone involved in the Yeovil One Team approach is clearly making the town a better place to live and work. I’ve seen first-hand how a one team approach works in other parts of Avon and Somerset and I’m delighted to say Yeovil is one of them.”

The aim of the Yeovil One Team is to develop an integrated model of neighbourhood service delivery to reduce demand and prevent crime and disorder within the Yeovil Central Beat. In utilising the services of multiple partners and agencies, victims receive a tailored service offering the appropriate support as and when they need it. Prevention is also key in helping our most vulnerable.

Working together provides the opportunity to intervene earlier, supporting individuals who might otherwise turn to a life of crime.

Ms Mountstevens ended the meeting offering Mr Fysh the opportunity of going out with the Yeovil One Team.

Local people are also invited to share their views on local policing in the area with PCC Sue Mountstevens either by emailing pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 01275-816377.

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