Fears over cut to station’s opening hours

Plans to leave South East Northumberland without a police station open 24/7 have been criticised.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery says he has been left shocked at news that Bedlington Police Station is to reduce its opening hours.

He says the move will leave the constituency without any 24/7 police stations as the front office will only be open between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

Blyth and Cramlington police stations will see their front office opening hours cut from 9am to 5pm five days a week to 10am to 2pm five days a week.

Northumbria Police say the changes will not see a reduction in the availability of officers but are being made in response to a significant decline in the use of front offices.