A NEW 'police point' has opened in Cinderford – while across the county border in Ross face-to-face contact at the town's police station is being stopped.

The new Cinderford police point at the Belle Vue Centre was officially opened last week by Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl.

Meanwhile, in Herefordshire, West Mercia Police has announced the public counter at Ross police station will be one of 21 being closed across the county.

Face-to-face contact with police staff at Ross is being replaced with a wall-mounted intercom although the force says there will be extra patrols and police surgeries.

A similar move in Gwent, which saw public counters at Chepstow and Monmouth, replaced with intercoms and internet access, has been reversed by the county's PCC Ian Johnstone.

The new police point in the Cinderford Town Council offices will be a 'new focal point' for policing in the area, said Mr Surl. 

He added: "Sharing a building housing other community partners, which is also well used by the public, will mean the police will still be easily accessible and help them retain a high profile.

"I understand people like the security of having a police station close by, but the reality is they rarely used them.

"We also have to accept that the way in which the police go about their work is changing and plan accordingly.

"Officers who no longer have to go to a building to book on and off will be able to spend more time on patrol and modern communication systems will enable them to do that.

"I am committed to maintaining a strong police presence in the Forest of Dean.

"Coleford Police Station will be retained and refurbished as promised.

"In Cinderford, we can save the cost of running a building that's well over a hundred years old and invest that money in other areas that will enable the constabulary to maintain its service to people living in the Forest." 

Police points were introduced in 2012 and are places where people can make an appointment to meet a local officer and where police can hold surgeries.

The 13 points around Gloucestershire are also a source for useful written information for the public.

West Mercia Police say the move to close public counters is part of a drive to save £22 million over three years – and some of the stations have only one visitor a day.

The new intercoms will be linked to the force control room which can send instructions to local officers.