New home for police in Pateley Bridge
From Monday 22 February, the existing police station on King Street will close and officers will move across the road to join the council in their offices
North Yorkshire Police is to move into a new home in Pateley Bridge later this month.
The force says the move will provide a modern base for the local policing team, and save money that can be reinvested in keeping the community safe and feeling safe.
From Monday 22 February, the existing police station on King Street will close and officers will co-locate with Harrogate Borough Council in their offices just across the road.
There will be no change to the front counter service which is based separately at the Nidderdale Plus office located centrally in the town.
The decision to move the base and put the current police station up for sale, made in consultation with the Chief Constable, is part of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to deliver value for money for taxpayers.
The principle of co-location has already been successfully implemented, including in Ripon, Thirsk, Selby, Bedale and Masham.
The police, fire and crime commissioner says Pateley Bridge police station is a large building that is expensive to run at a time when new mobile technology means officers and staff do not need to spend as much time at a desk. The move is ultimately expected to save £19,000 per year.
Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:
“By co-locating North Yorkshire Police with Harrogate Borough Council in Pateley Bridge we will achieve value for money for the taxpayer with no change to the access available for Nidderdale residents to our policing teams in the area.
“Selling the police station will also reduce the amount we have to spend on upkeep of an large and underused property and the proceeds will be reinvested in frontline, visible policing which I know is the priority of most people in and around Pateley Bridge and across North Yorkshire.”
Inspector Alex Langley, of the Harrogate Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team, added:
“We are delighted to be moving into our new base at Pateley Bridge alongside our Harrogate Borough Council colleagues.
“It is just across the road from the old Pateley Bridge Police Station, so it will be very easy for residents to adjust to the change in location.
“Importantly, we are also continuing to run our front counter services at the Nidderdale Plus office as before.
“Our new facilities ensure an effective, efficient and sustainable neighbourhood policing service is provided to the people of Pateley Bridge for many years to come.”
The current station is not open to the public, with the front counter service being provided at the Nidderdale Plus office on Station Square. This service will remain unchanged, meaning it is open to the public on Mondays 10am – 6pm, Tuesdays to Fridays 10am – 4pm, and at weekends from 10am – 1pm.