‘Sad day’ for the Dales as officers move

Reactive police officers paraded for the last time at Bakewell’s police stations on Wednesday, November 12, before their move to Matlock Police Station.

Former Bakewell officer Sandra Wetton said she fears the removal of reactive officers from their base in the town could eventually lead to the closure of Bakewell Police Station station - the last remaining police station in the Peak District National Park.

Sandra, who lives in Bakewell, told the Mercury: “All that will be left at Bakewell and Ashbourne will be the safer neighbourhood teams consisting of a sergeant, the odd police constable and some PCSOs who do not cover 24-7.

“This will allow the force to close this police station in the new year, claiming there are too few staff working out of it to justify keeping it open - a sad day for Bakewell.”

She went on to describe the potential closure of the police station as a ‘fait accompli’, which she claims was decided months ago by the constabulary.

Derbyshire Constabulary maintain that no closures of police stations have been decided.

The force maintains that the proposals will be subject to a public consultation in due course.