BY PETE HENSHAW

NANTWICH Town Council is to quiz the borough's superintendent over policing levels in the town.

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of the town council when some councillors expressed concern that the local police station has not been manned since October of last year.

Cllr Joyce Stockton spoke out on the matter: "I have had numerous phone calls and questions about Nantwich Police Station never being open.

While the station has officers inside the desk is not open and residents have to knock on windows to get their attention.

"I have written to Superintendent Mary Roberts and she said it was her predecessor who said that there was no need for Nantwich Police Station to be open," added Cllr Stockton.

"When it was open a few hours a day and staffed by a constable it was wonderful, but since October it has not been open and I have been receiving complaints.

"We have got the police station there and Nantwich is still a growing town, it is ludicrous that it cannot be manned two or three hours a day," she added.

Supt Mary Roberts visited the town council last year to discuss her then new role in the borough, the councillors expressed an interest in bringing her back to the council to quiz her on the issue again.

The councillors also discussed the possibility of a trained civilian manning the desk and Cllr Cottrell reminded the meeting that Mary Roberts had said they would be taking on more civilian staff.

"It would be an idea to remind her of what she did tell us and then they would not be taking any police officers off the beat," she added.

Other councillors spoke in favour of more bobbies on the beat and Cllr Arthur Moran added: "It is about getting the balance right and efforts being made into getting more bobbies on the beat."

"People would like to see somebody manning the police station but it is about resources and whatever is most cost effective," he added.

"The police do a wonderful job in Nantwich and I know police resources are pushed but I just think the station should be opened a few hours a day," Cllr Stockton added.