Residents make their views known on future of Newton Aycliffe Police Station.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has announced the results of a new poll gauging public opinion on the future of Newton Aycliffe Police Station.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC launched a consultation after Durham Constabulary’s 10-year lease at Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s Central Avenue Station in Newton Aycliffe came to an end.

The PCC and force have been working hard to identify a ‘cost-effective and operationally sound’ alternative in the town and launched a survey to better understand the views of local people in their quest for a solution.

The online survey revealed nearly half (48 per cent) of residents prefer a police station within the confines of Newton Aycliffe to accommodate Response officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team, with an additional public contact ‘hub’ point on Central Avenue.

A total of 36 per cent of residents said they preferred no presence on or immediately off Central Avenue but a larger police station within the Newton Aycliffe boundary to incorporate a public contact point housing both the Neighbourbood and Response Teams. Meanwhile, 17 per cent indicated a preference for a police station on or immediately off Central Avenue with a public contact point and a Neighbourhood Police Team base. This would require a Response (and some of the Neighbourhood Policing Team) to be overflowed into temporary accommodation within Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland or Darlington.

Nearly 30 officers and staff work from the current building on Central Avenue.

Some staff will remain at the site until a suitable building is found in the area, meaning local neighbourhood officers will be fully operational at the premises and visible to their communities while alternative plans are sought.

Many of the 190 respondents to the survey said the need for a centrally based police station was critical for maintaining law and order in the town and for reassuring residents.

One respondent said: “Aycliffe must have a fully functioning police station - this is paramount for our safety and the safety of our property.”

Another added: “We need a police station housing a Neighbourhood Policing Team, 24 hours response team and front counter - absolutely essential this is located somewhere within the residential area of the town and not the Industrial Park.”

Responding to the results, Commissioner Allen said: “I would like to thank people for taking the time to engage in this survey.

“While the decision to move from Central Avenue was out of our control, it is nevertheless important we continue to work swiftly, with partners, to identify a solution that will protect the strong local police people rightly expect in Newton Aycliffe.

“Clearly, this is an emotive issue and residents feel very strongly that an alternative building is found within the confines of the town. This is a view I fully understand and support.

“A strong and visible policing presence is at the core of my Police and Crime Plan. It is paramount to me that officers remain at the heart of the communities they serve. The public has made it very clear they expect officers to be both accessible and responsive to the issues that matter to them, and I continue to work hard to deliver against these needs.”