Reassurances were given today that Felixstowe's police station is not going to close.

FELIXSTOWE: Reassurances were given today that Felixstowe's police station is not going to close.

Fears were raised by Evening Star readers that the station in Glenfield Avenue could shut as part of changes taking place to create new police response hubs to alter the way officers deal with emergencies.

Suffolk police are cutting the number of locations response officers - who deal with emergencies such as accidents or crimes in progress - will be based at from 23 to nine from April.

Following shift briefings, officers will be sent out to patrol across the county, providing the same level as cover as before, with no reduction in response officers, and still able to meet response times.

A police spokeswoman said it would not mean any police stations closing.

“Police stations such as Felixstowe and their front desks, an important point of contact for many people, will remain open and be used by the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) as their base,” she said.

“There is no suggestion that Felixstowe is going to close, or any other stations, at this point in time.”

Officers assigned to SNTs carry out the traditional beat bobby role, covering areas of towns and villages, working with community leaders and other bodies to tackle anti-social behaviour and other policing issues.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Kitching said new technology would be used to track patrol vehicles so the nearest can be sent to a call.

“In fact, while the officers will be patrolling in strategic locations countywide, they won't be limited to just attending incidents in a designated area,” he said.

“This means officers will be able to provide back up and appropriate patrol cover should other units be called to an incident.”

? Are you worried about the changes to the police? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk