Morley Police Station - Saturday Opening delivered!

Regular readers of this blog may remember the issues raised about Morley Police Station. Due to the Police Cuts programme Morley Police Station was likely to have to close over the weekends to make the appropriate savings and prevent cuts to front line policing in the area. Although closure over the weekend was a blow it is clearly important to retain the number of officers on Morley streets to continue the excellent job they do in reducing crime levels.

Many moaned about the closure and our beloved MP Ed Balls sent out another bogus "survey" and held another coffee morning. Indeed when ever Morley faces a challenge - whether its youth unemployment or the weekend closure of Morley Police Station Labour always holds a coffee morning to discuss the matter and then sends out a press release and a photo to show how "concerned" they are. Its a pity they never seem to take action to resolve the issue!

The MBI approach is to attempt to solve the problem. We met with senior police officers and asked them to cost up the option of opening on a Saturday on the basis that - if affordable - we would find the finance for it. The deal that came back would mean Area Committee paying half (not the Town Council as claimed by the YEP!) and the Police covering the other half. This was a good partnership approach and a great deal for local residents. The finance will be agreed at Septembers Area Committee meeting.

The frustration surrounds the Labour Party's claim towards resolving this problem. Other than Cllr Neil Dawson bleating about Police Cuts at a Town Council meeting - no action was taken by the Comrades at all other than the usual press releases, coffee mornings and pictures. Regrettably the Comrades were copied into an e mail about the matter following the meeting and figured out something was about to be announced and launched their own version of events. As ever they attempted to claim credit for other peoples work - not that that is anything new!

Outside this Political Posturing this is still good news for local residents. The Police are to be commended for taking a positive approach to working in partnership with local councillors and this decision will support the great work they do around the area. Confidence Levels in Morley Neighbourhood Policing Team are already some of the highest in the Division. This agreement - along with their continuing excellent work - will increase confidence levels higher.