Greens say if Hove Police Station has to be sacrificed to save officer jobs, it could be turned into a school

News Release issued on behalf of Brighton and Hove Green Party:

Green candidates: Rob Jarrett, Councillor Alex Phillips, Ruth Buckley

07 April 2011
From the Green Group of Councillors, Brighton & Hove City Council
GREENS ARGUE THAT HOVE POLICE STATION SITE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Green councillors fighting against cuts to Sussex Police have argued that should Hove Police Station have to close to save officer jobs, the council could turn the site into a primary school.
Cllr Alex Phillips said: “We don’t want to see Hove Police Station closed. But thanks to cuts imposed by successive governments, Hove Police Station on Holland Road is now under threat."

Sussex Police need to find £52m over the next four years, and is facing a choice between cutting opening hours at police stations or cutting frontline officer jobs. The Police are now considering alternative locations to save money.

Cllr Phillips added: "I have spoken with Inspector Jason Hazzard who is confident the area will be just as strongly-policed, and may even receive a better service operating from other bases. We support the police decision to prioritise front-line officers’ jobs, and have been arguing that police contacts should be available in other public buildings such as council offices and Hove Town Hall.”

Cllr Phillips has also for the last few years been campaigning for more primary schools in Hove with the parent-led group action4kids. She concluded: "What will happen to the site if the Police are forced to vacate because of these cuts? Ibelieve it should still serve the local community. If the station does come up for sale, I would like to see the council do its utmost to purchase the land with a view to building a much-needed new primary school in this ideal spot."

ENDS
Notes for Editors
*The coalition government has demanded £52m of cuts from Sussex Police by 2015. The previous Labour government required £27m of cuts and savings from the SPA between 2008-2011. More information here: http://www.sussexpa.gov.uk/fileUploads/SPA-Meetings/2008_02_14/agenda6.pdf.
For further information
Cllr Alex Phillips
Green Councillor for Goldsmid ward