HARWICH deserves a police presence and building, the Essex police and crime commissioner has admitted in the face of plans to axe stations across the county.

At a meeting with Harwich Town Council, police and crime commissioner Nick Alston confirmed plans to close 50 police stations across Essex would be announced on October 6.

He would not confirm or deny the rumours Harwich’s Main Road station would be one of those lost, but said a strong police presence was needed in the town.

“I do think we need a building in Harwich,” he said. “I have a huge emotional attachment to the Harwich station, as you all will know I was born there, so I have a visceral attachment to the place.

“Given the importance of Harwich for a whole host of reasons, it deserves a police presence. Essex Police has adopted a new shift pattern, which means there are more police officers here.

“I don’t want to get ahead of the decision, but I want to give you some comfort.”

But Mr Alston did voice his support for closing stations around the county, saying there was not a demand for front counter service. “If money was no object, would I be closing front counters? Yes I would because so few people go to them,” he said.

“Should we be able to deal with police like doing online banking? Probably yes.

“I think it is shameful there is no modern way of communicating with police – you can’t e-mail in a crime report.

“We are way behind where we should be. The 101 system is nowhere near where it should be. If you dial 101, you get a very mixed service.”