Police put off closure of station public inquiry desk

Almost 500 people joined a campaign led by Wentworth Labour MP John Healey against the closure, which would have meant the inquiry desk closing for good on April 1.

South Yorkshire Police said the number of people visiting Wath inquiry desk to report an incident, speak with an officer or find out information was low when compared to activity at the other three inquiry desks in Rotherham.

However, it is understood that the force will now keep the desk open until further discussions have taken place.

Mr Healey said: "I welcome this reprieve and will carry on fighting to keep the police station open to the public for good but it is clear that police don't think enough people are using the enquiry desk – so if local people want it to stay they have to take every opportunity to use it."

The campaign to save the public inquiry desk has been backed by local councillors, Wentworth North Area Assembly, shopkeepers, Wath community groups and members of South Yorkshire Police Authority.

Mr Healey added: "Plans for the closure have really concerned local people and I have told police that the loss of this established contact point in Wath risks damaging confidence in local operations."

A petition against the closure can still be signed at the MP's constituency office in High Street, Wath.

South Yorkshire Police said it planned to close the desk as most people using Wath inquiry desk were attending at the request of officers, either producing documents or answering bail. If the desk were to close, police officers would remain at the station.