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Here’s a sign of what might be heading Wivenhoe’s way in term of cuts at a very local level. The Gazette is reporting on the end of the trial period over in Tiptree, which saw the local police move in with the fire brigade:

“Villagers have criticised Essex Police for not revealing how much money will be saved if it shuts a police station. A three-month trial has seen Tiptree’s thirteen police officers move into the village’s fire station and library.”

Tellingly:

“Essex Police will decide whether to make the move permanent on November 29.”

The implication here in Wivenhoe is that the move is likely to follow around these parts, should Essex Police deem the Tiptree experiment a success. The good Sergeant Middleton confirmed as much at the Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Action Panel meeting earlier in the month.

Our Tiptree neighbours are requesting data from the trial, before delivering their own verdict on the cost saving measure. There appears to be little effect on the crime figures, but the Tiptree locals want to know how much money has actually been saved.

Chief Superintendent Alison Newcombe, Divisional Commander for Colchester, said:

“There has been reduced office space, so we have had to have a good clear out. It has required a great deal of tolerance on both sides. It would be fair to say it is not perfect. It is not as good as having our own building, but operationally it works.”

Chief Superintendent Newcombe has confirmed that should the space saving continue, Wivenhoe will follow next.