Brighton Police Station could close as part of major county review

A repair bill of £2.5 million has motivated senior officers to investigate whether other sites could be used as a public contact point or police base in the city – but they have stressed no firm plans have been drawn up.

The force’s grade II listed conferencing and training centre, Slaugham Manor, is also in the firing line.

Sussex Police Authority is due to hear a report on the force’s latest estates review tomorrow. Options for Sussex House in Crowhurst Road, the police headquarters at Lewes, and vehicle workshops at Astley House, Lewes, are also being discussed.

Police properties at Hickstead, Hurstpierpoint and Southbourne, near Chichester, have already been approved for “disposal”.

The force, which is in the middle of a £50 million savings programme, is also discussing what to do with its Shoreham Airport base when its helicopter moves to a depot at Redhill in October.

Concerns were raised last year over the need for £2.5 million to be spent on cladding at Brighton police station in John Street. Authority members called for options to be considered before the money was spent.

Last year the police station stopped opening 24 hours a day, as part of a raft of cuts affecting public points of contact.

Hove police station and Eastbourne police station have already been earmarked for closure, subject to talks to open front desks in council offices.

The authority has already approved creating a “neighbourhood policing satellite office” in Broadfield Library, Crawley.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We are exploring a number of options to deliver our service in more flexible and convenient ways, including where and how our people work. We are presenting an update on this review to the Police Authority this week.

“Work is under way to look at all our estate, particularly non-public facing buildings. As previously stated, we are committed to maintaining or improving existing service delivery and will not look to close any existing police station without an acceptable alternative in place.

‘No decision’ “Many of the locations mentioned in the report – such as John Street – are in very early stages of review with no decision having been made yet about their future.”

Mark White, the secretary of Sussex Police Federation, said he would rather see officer numbers protected than expensive buildings maintained.

He said: “If they have got to spend £2 million on John Street, that would have to be found somehow and possibly we’d have more officer cuts.”

But Andy Stenning, of Sussex Police Unison, which represents staff, said: “I think there will be a loss of service.”

Most of the candidates who are standing as Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex in elections in November supported the idea of looking for efficiency in the police’s properties.

Labour candidate Godfrey Daniel said police stations like John Street should be judged on whether they are fit for the job.

He said Brighton would need a base for officers, but not necessarily in the same place as the public point of contact.

He said: “The important thing for the public is they have got a police station they can call at. They don’t need the presence of people in offices five floors above them.”

Katy Bourne, who was selected as the Conservative candidate at the weekend, said: “It is about managing resources effectively, given the current economic climate, and that any monies are given into frontline policing and supporting neighbourhood policing.”

Ian Chisnall, who is standing as an independent, said the need for an operational base for police and a contact point for the public were separate issues.

He said: “What is critical is whatever they end up with, it is fit for purpose and gives the public reasonable access to facilities, but it doesn’t have to be John Street.”

Fellow independent candidate Matt Taylor said: “The police station is absolutely key to Brighton “Considering there have been so many constables taken off the front line, we have to make sure that police station stays. It is symbolic, especially with the courts next door. It gives a big message of community and strength in the heart of the city.”

Should John Street be spared closure?