BRITISH Transport Police is set to downgrade its base at Ipswich station in favour of a new expanded operation in Colchester, it was revealed today.Officers currently based in Ipswich will now report to a new office across the Essex border but the force insisted the change was an administrative matter rather than a police resource issue and would have no affect on actual policing.

BRITISH Transport Police is set to downgrade its base at Ipswich station in favour of a new expanded operation in Colchester, it was revealed today.

Officers currently based in Ipswich will now report to a new office across the Essex border but the force insisted the change was an administrative matter rather than a police resource issue and would have no affect on actual policing.

BTP today said the change was “part of an ongoing effort to improve its service”.

Officers currently based full-time at Ipswich station will now occupy the offices at Colchester station but they will continue to police Ipswich station and National Express train routes in the area.

The BTP office at Ipswich will be retained but in a lesser capacity.

“This move is part of an ongoing plan to offer the best police service we can to all of the areas in which we operate,” said British Transport Police Chief Inspector Nicki Watson.

“The ability of officers to respond to issues in the Ipswich area will in no way be affected by this move and BTP officers will continue to be a highly-visible presence at Ipswich station and surrounding areas.”

BTP said the decision has been made with “the full agreement and co-operation” of train operator National Express (formerly 'one').

Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express, said: “We have been working closely with the BTP to ensure the best deployment of both administrative and frontline BTP officers.

“The changes, we believe, will have a positive impact on frontline policing and will help support our joint approach to improve still further security for passengers using our stations and trains.”

What do you think of the move? Do you feel safe on the railways? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk