Cockermouth Station to fully reopen on 29/06/10

The community of Cockermouth will once again have access to the ground floor of their local Police Station as it formally reopens to the public tomorrow (Tuesday, 29 June) after being damaged by the floods last year.

The reopening will be marked by the removal of the two large portacabins which have housed many members of Cockermouth Neighbourhood Policing Team and front counter staff for the last seven months while the repair and refurbishment works were ongoing.

The ground floor, which includes a public enquiry counter and office, meeting room, kitchen and refreshment room, has now been completely restored and refurbished.

Inspector Martin Connolly, in charge of Cockermouth Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This is a big day for local officers and support staff. Losing the ground floor of our station during the November floods was a challenge to say the least and I am proud of the dedication and patience my staff have shown over the last seven months to ensure the local people retained a local police service they could be confident in.

“Immediately after the floods our main aim was to ensure the people of Cockermouth and the surrounding areas were able to access local police officers despite the loss of our building so we moved into temporary accommodation on South Street. By 8.30am on Tuesday, 24 November, we were open for business to provide re-assurance, support and confidence to this community. We moved to the first floor of the Police Station just before Christmas last year and have been operating from there under cramped conditions ever since. The portacabins, which have been out at the front of the station for some time now, have been used as a public enquiry area and a private enquiry room.

“I am delighted to have the full use of the police station back and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all their hard work and commitment which has made this possible.”

Hilary Dandy, Cockermouth NPT’s long serving Public Enquiry Clerk, said “It’s nice to get back into the station where my colleagues are and it is wonderful to have some space after working in the portacabin for six months.”

If you have any queries, or would like to have your say on policing priorities in the area pop along to Cockermouth Police Station, or attend the next Safer, Stronger Community meeting which will be held by Cockermouth NPT at 3pm on 14 July.

ENDS