THURROCK's police chief and the county's police commissioner have rejected the offer of a new police office in Corringham – even though they appeared to know little about it.

During a public open forum on Facebook this evening, (Tuesday, 19 January) Essex Police and Fire Commissioner Roger Hirst invited questions from residents about issues that concerned them and one of the first came from Stanford-le-Hope councillor Gary Byrne who wanted to know if the force would be taking up the offer of space within the proposed new Springhouse Club development, if it gets planning permission.

The developers have offered space for the police to have a town centre office which is something of a throwback to several years ago when the town had its own operation police station. The force sold it off.

It appeared that Mr Hirst and Thurrock's Divisional Police Chief Inspector Richard Melton knew nothing about the specifics – even though Cllr Byrne had sent in a briefing prior to his question, which was 'Will you accept the offer and man it if the plan goes through'.

Indeed the deputy commissioner, Jane Gardner introduced the item by referring to the Springfield Club!

Mr Hirst was quick to dismiss the idea, saying: "Are we talking about gifting a police officer? We would rather have the officer than the office.

"We have a scheme in place for accepting funding for local officers, we have that with the council.

"I'm, not particularly keen to having police officers bound to offices, they are not as much use there as they are out on patrol.

"We have spent a lot of money on our mobile police programme and they can be in contact and download and upload information, it is amazingly powerful.

"I am not too keen on the idea of being given an office and I am sure it will come with strings attached."

Ch Insp Melton said: "Policing is about my officers as opposed to bricks and mortar. They can police Corringham through mobile patrols and local police teams and we have a drop in centre at Corringham fire station."

Afterwards Cllr Byrne said: "It was a bit disappointing this was dismissed out of hand with what appears to be any real consideration. I did contact Mr Hirst before the meeting but it appears it wasn't read. He certainly didn't respond.

"If a councillor can't contribute and pass on information, what chance do residents have of making a contribution?"