4:10am Monday 25th June 2012
FACED with massive utility costs and high property prices, friends often cohabit a building – and now the idea has spread to our local emergency services which are moving in together to save taxpayers’ money.
Last week in Stockbridge High Street, Hampshire Constabulary moved in with the fire and rescue services and it was all smiles as Chief Constable Alex Marshall and the head of the fire and rescue service John Bonney performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the joint facility.
The new venture has been given impetus by the need for the police to find savings of 20 per cent in their budgets but the chief constable believes there is more to be gained by the move than just money as it will strengthen the link between the two organisations.
Stockbridge fire station is the first joint working venture of its kind in Hampshire but it is likely to be repeated elsewhere.
Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said: “It is a significant day for Stockbridge to have this joint venture between police and fire service and I am confident it will be a success.
“It will also free up another building in the street,”
The old police station will be sold freeing the building up for other uses.
The neighbourhood police office will provide a base for the rural neighbourhood policing team but does not have an inquiry office – that closed to the public two years ago.
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