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Phase
one of the refurbishment of Ross Police Station is now complete
and we were delighted when Inspector McLaughlin invited
us to talk to him about the work for WNTV News.
The
Customer Service Area has been transformed from a small,
dark and uncomfortable room into a bright, spacious, waiting
area with comfortable seating and better accessibility for
the disabled. A T-loop for the hearing impaired has been
installed, there is a wheelchair ramp to the door and also
a toilet facility fully equipped with handrails etc. It
is also more comfortable behind the counter for the staff
who operate this area.
After
the Inspector had shown us around the new reception area,
he invited us to take a look at the much improved Interview
Room. This once rather dark and intimidating room is now
light, spacious and soundproof! Inspector McLaughlin explained
that people occasionally worried that somebody might overhear
their interview by listening at the door. This could potentially
put them off talking freely when giving statements etc.
Eavesdropping on this new room however, is now impossible,
so visitors can be assured that whatever they want to say
can be said in complete confidence.
We
were really impressed with phase one of the refurbishment
programme. Phase two, which should be complete by the end
of March involves the total renovation of the detention
area. At present, due to the currently outdated facility
at Ross Police Station and the refurbishment in progress
at Hereford, persons to be detained for longer than six
hours have to be transported to Leominster, which does take
up a lot of valuable police time. Once the work is complete,
however, these journeys will no longer be necessary.
Thank
you for showing us around Inspector. Ross Police Station
is now looking much more user friendly, so to speak and
will prove to be an even more invaluable asset for the community
of Ross-on-Wye.
A
WNTV video of our visit to Ross Police Station can be viewed
below.
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