LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has called for urgent 11th hour talks to prevent local police stations closing to the public through the night.

Concerned community groups have backed the MPs rallying cry to stop Lancaster and Morecambe police station enquiry desks being closed from 8pm and 8am. And despite Lancashire Constabulary's assurances that dedicated telephones will be installed by front doors, public concern is widespread in the wake of rising violent crime. The MP returned from a trip abroad and said he was "extremely anxious" about the proposals.

Writing to Superintendent Philip Brear, he said: "I am extremely concerned about this decision. I regard the police station as our 24-hour guarantee of safety and security in our city. It may be remiss of me but I have always taken it for granted that there would be someone on hand there to assist people especially during the night when there is no one else around."

The closure plan is due to come into force next week and the MP has called for an urgent meeting together with Morecambe's MP Geraldine Smith, council leader Stanley Henig and chairman of the Police Authority, county Cllr Ruth Henig.

He added: "I know Lancaster, like all cities, can be a dangerous and lonely place and an especially difficult place for vulnerable people. I want Lancaster police to run efficiently as well but I am extremely anxious about the implications for all of us of not having an enquiry desk open to the public for 12 hours of each day."

Margaret Hurdley of Heysham community group HELP supported the MP.

She said: "People are very concerned. The pubs close at 11pm and I think it's a good idea for the police to be more accessible at this time. I'd certainly support the MP."

Support for Hilton Dawson's initiative has also attracted cross party support. County Cllr David Woods said: "A police station is the last bastion of law and order and people head there for refuge in times of crisis. I'm very concerned."

In a lengthy statement Supt Brear has said: "The reduction in opening hours has been part of a long term, force-wide programme of ensuring that our staff are where the public want them at the times they want them dealing with the incidents they want them to deal with."

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