Desks close but police are ‘still available’

In recent months, South Yorkshire Police has reduced the number of enquiry desks in police stations – where people can come in to report a crime, seek help, or produce documents – from 19 to six.

The process was completed on Sunday, with all enquiry desks in the county closing apart from those at College Road, Doncaster, Churchfields in Barnsley, Main Street, Rotherham, and Ecclesfield, Moss Way and Snig Hill in Sheffield.

Cheif officers said police stations that had lost enquiry desks would not be closing, meaning that local officers will still be based in the local community.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt said many enquiry desks were only open for a few hours a day and then sometimes closed temporarily due to staff shortages, which meant an inconsistent service.

He added: “Our research showed that most of the enquiry desks received very few visitors and indeed, one desk had only one enquiry in a week.

“New technology has meant fewer people having to produce documents at enquiry desks and the public has shown that they wish to contact us by other means including on the telephone or via email.

“We have to meet people’s demands in how they want to contact their police force and so we decided to streamline our enquiry desks, ensuring that the remaining six work on a more structured basis, with set hours and regular staffing.

“Of course we recognise that people may still prefer face-to-face contact with an officer and if so, then they can make an appointment.

“South Yorkshire Police will always respond to calls for assistance from the public.”