THE public-facing desk at Bicester’s police station could close for good as part of a force-wide reduction of front counter services.

Residents have called the move ‘utterly ridiculous’ and Thames Valley Police (TVP) launched a public consultation on Monday seeking views on whether closing the front counter on Queens Avenue is the right thing to do.

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Under the plans, the force will also close front counter services in Witney and Kidlington HQ South as well as change the opening hours of those in Oxford, Abingdon and Banbury.

The proposed changes, which include reductions in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire as well, would save the force around £1.4million.

Although the Bicester desk has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, residents say it should stay because the town is continuing to grow.

Dawn Robertson said on the Bicester Chat Facebook page: “Madness. Bicester is growing so fast with an ever increasing population that it needs to have a station that the public can visit.”

Ron Hoare said: “Just to save a few quid. Utterly ridiculous for the people of Bicester not having somewhere to go to speak with an officer for whatever. That’s not showing us in Bicester that Thames Valley Police force cares much for us.”

People also noted however that the desk is not used as often anymore because of other ways to contact the police such as via telephone and online.

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Resident Kevin Hook said: “Who reports a crime at a station? You don’t, you ring 101 or 999. Crimes don’t happen between 9am - 6pm and it’s [the front counter] been closed since March 2020.”

TVP says the reductions are part of its commitment to adapt to the different ways in which people contact the police, to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves and to make necessary savings.

The proposal does not affect police officer numbers nor the number of police bases, so the public will not experience any difference to officer visibility.

There are 79 police bases force-wide, which are not affected. The consultation ends on January 31.

To have your say, go to thamesvalley.police.uk.

To obtain a paper copy, call 01865 542895 to leave your address for a copy of the consultation to be sent to you.

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