Police officers share fire station

Police and fire services have joined forces in a move designed to provide a better service.

Officers* from Surrey Police have moved into Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Painshill station. The approach is part of Surrey County Council’s** new agenda to get everyone working together as one team for the benefit of Surrey.

Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety Kay Hammond. Click image to download

Initially being run on a six-month trial basis, the space-saving scheme means police will be closer to the community and can alert firefighters to concerns faster.

The move follows a review of the force’s buildings, which suggested many were costly to maintain.

Sharing premises with other council’s has already saved the county council nearly £3.5 million, with adult social care staff based at all 11 borough and district authorities in the county.

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “The public sector should be seen as one team working together for the benefit of taxpayers. Making the very best use of premises is one way to achieve this.

Borough Commander Dave Hollingsworth said: “I am delighted five officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team now have a location that will keep them in the heart of Cobham. 

“Policing posts are in a range of different buildings, such as this at Painshill, with others across the county in community and leisure centres. Savings from changes like this are helping reduce our estates costs whilst strengthening police presence in the community.”

Ends

* Two police officers, two police community support officers and one sergeant who were based at Cobham police station and make up the Cobham and Oxshott Safer Neighbourhood Team. The facility is not a public office and the team will start and finish their shifts at the co-located base at Esher Civic Centre. It will allow officers to spend as much time as possible in their neighbourhood.

** The county council is the fire authority in Surrey.