Police battling budget cuts may get help from Doctor Who fans

Late last year, South Yorkshire Police Authority agreed to sell off eight disused police boxes and section houses for undisclosed sums, in order to raise cash.

The properties on the market, most of which have kitchen and toilet facilities, are in areas including Fitzalan Square in the city centre and residential locations such as Ecclesall Road and Broomhill.

The city centre unit is close to similar-sized venues that have become small takeaways.

Rebecca Schofield from commercial property consultants Knight Frank, which is acting as agent for South Yorkshire Police, said: "Police boxes often attract a lot of interest thanks to their history, their convenient locations and, of course, the Doctor Who association. However, they can be used in a variety of ways such as a small office or storage space.

"In the past people have acquired disused police boxes and turned them into a small retail outlet or a kiosk and many of these Sheffield sites could also present an opportunity for redevelopment, subject to necessary planning consent."

The former police posts are all single-storey brick or stone built buildings, ranging in size from 56 sq ft to 430 sq ft. As well as Fizalan Square, Broomhill and Ecclesall Road, other buildings to be sold off are in Crookes, Darnall, Totley Brook, Wadsley Bridge and Wincobank.

David Livingstone, South Yorkshire Police's head of facilities management, said: "The advent of mobile phones and BlackBerrys mean officers no longer require police boxes for reporting when they're out on the beat.

"This has prompted us to put these properties on the market so they can be put to alternative good use in communities and the city centre."

When the proposals were agreed in December, chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Authority, Charles Perryman said that the buildings in question are "very little used" as they are "old, in the wrong places and remain very expensive to run."

Mr Perryman added: "Having done a significant review of the estate that we've got, the question was asked – are they essential for our operation?

"We've consulted with the local community and with councils, and come to the conclusion that they are surplus to requirements.."

Police boxes, which were used for officers to contact the police force, have become surplus to requirements since officers began carrying police radios in the 1960s. Section houses, meanwhile, were formerly used as accommodation for unmarried police officers, but police are now normally expected to find their own accommodation.

South Yorkshire Police has drawn up a raft of proposals to try and find the 40m of savings that are required, which include cutting its workforce by 103 officers and 278 civilian staff next year.

Proposals sent two weeks ago to trade unions, the Police Federation and the Superintendents' Association include cutting the force's Major Incident Team by two officers and six staff and submitting fewer exhibits from crime scenes for forensic analysis.

There are plans to cut a team of eight officers from the Road Crime Unit, 16 officers and 45 staff are poised to leave the Sheffield policing district and 14 officers and 42 staff are under threat in Rotherham.

Barnsley's policing strength is due to be reduced by 14 officers and 26 staff, while Doncaster is expected to lose 11 officers and 35 staff.

The proposals also rely on the most experienced officers deciding to retire.

A force spokesman said: "This letter predates our latest plans, and the voluntary severance scheme being offered to staff. At this stage it would be inappropriate to comment in detail."