Warwickshire Police is working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council to improve access to police services in Warwickshire.
From 1 October 2016, the number of Warwickshire County Council locations offering police front counter services is increasing from six to 12.
This means that from 1 October police services will now be offered at Warwickshire Direct locations in Lillington Library, Nuneaton Library, Polesworth Library, Wellesbourne Library, Whitnash Library and Wolston Library in addition to the existing locations of Alcester Library, Coleshill Library, Kenilworth Library, Shipston on Stour Library, Southam Library and Warwick Library.
Police front counter services will also continue to be offered alongside existing borough council services in Atherstone and Bedworth and from the justice centres in Nuneaton and Leamington Spa, and police stations in Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “This is excellent news and a good demonstration of how the police can work with partners to deliver improved services. Increasing the visibility and accessibility of the police in our local communities is a key commitment of my Police and Crime Plan, so I am delighted to be able to make this significant progress so quickly.”
T/Chief Supt Alex Franklin-Smith, Head of Local Policing for Warwickshire said: “By working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council we hope to give local people better access to police services through an extended front counter provision.”
“This is over and above the service we currently provide – this is good news for people in Warwickshire.”
Warwickshire County Council Libraries provide people with a single point of access to local information, advice and other key services, from police services to applying for a disabled parking blue badge or asking about free school meals.
Police services offered by Warwickshire County Council include crime and incident reporting, putting you in touch with local officers, access to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, and reporting anti-social behaviour.
The Warwickshire County Council locations have trained staff and computer terminals that people can use to find out information themselves.
The locations were chosen following a review of current and anticipated demand. The aim is to make the best use of partnership resources and offer improved accessibility to members of the public wishing to use the service. The Warwickshire Direct service will be regularly reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of the local community who want to contact the police.
Cllr Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Customers at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Our partnership with Warwickshire Police has already worked extremely well in six of our library sites. I’m delighted that the number of libraries offering front counter services is set to double, so that people can access even more services from under one roof and in the heart of their communities.”
For a list of Warwickshire Libraries opening times and police and council services visit the Warwickshire County Council websitewww.warwickshire.gov.uk/one-stop-shops Information is also available on www.warwickshire.police.uk
The number of ways the public can contact the police has grown over recent years giving the public more options of how to get in touch.
How to contact the police
In an emergency always call 999. In addition to Warwickshire Direct and police station front counters, there are a range of methods for public contact and service including calling 101, via 24/7 contact points outside stations to connect callers to the police, 33 Safer Neighbourhood Teams each with a dedicated email address and Twitter account, monthly community meetings and drop in surgeries all enhancing local policing. We are continuing to work with partners in business and the public sector to develop more effective Community Policing Posts which will further enhance availability of policing services in communities.
Reporting crimes or requesting information does not have to be done at a police station and can be done remotely, to a police officer or by phone or in some cases electronically via our website. However some things have to be done in person at a police station such as bail signing, examination of driving documents, and foreign nationals registering with the police.
For more information on how to contact the police, please click here www.warwickshire.police.uk/article/2326/Contact-us
