Asda pays for police station 'pod' at west Hull superstore
Supermarket giant Asda has paid for a ‘mini police station’ at its Hessle Road store in west Hull.
The so-called Pod unit will be used by officers to hold drop-in events, surgeries and events such as cycle marking.
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PCSOs Kirsty Wall and Samantha Chandler at the launch of the new police 'pod' at Asda's Hessle Road store.
The portable building has been rented by Hull City Council for £4,500 and will be in place for the next five years.
PC Jeanette Robinson, who has been involved in planning the mini police station for more than a year, said it would help the people of the community.
“We will be able to hold surgeries, people will be able make statements here and hopefully feel more secure,” she said.
“Currently the neighbourhood policing team are based at Queens Gardens, so we have a mile walk before we are on the beat. Now we will be here from he beginning,
“We thought it would be a great place to have it as the number of people passing is huge. Hopefully everyone will take advantage of it.”
The unit is due to be open at different times from week to week, but it is hoped it will be staffed around 10 hours a week.
Neal Folk, store manager at Asda, said he hoped the presence of the unit would deter shop lifters.
“Just having a greater police presence in the area will be good to reduce shoplifting. It will definitely be a deterrent.
“We are paying £200 a month to keep the Pod going and I hope it will prove to be an excellent addition not just for the safety of our shoppers but for the rest of Hessle Road as well.”
Staff from Hull City Safe, Humberside Fire and Rescue service and the Goodwin community wardens will also use the space.
Cllr Darren Hale, ward councillor for the area, said he believed it would be a great addition.
He said: “This is neighbourhood policing at its very best and is really welcome, I believe it will great for Hessle Road.”
11 Comments
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by homer, springfeild
Monday, September 06 2010, 7:54AM
“at least the cops wont have to go far for doughnuts and cofffee!
MMMMmmmm doughnuts......”
by carl, hull
Sunday, September 05 2010, 6:53PM
“hahaha wat a joke next the police will be replacing the security guard near the entrance”
by andrew, Hull
Sunday, September 05 2010, 4:51PM
“Have to walk a mile? What is Gordon street police station used for then.”
by Steve, Hull East
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:22PM
“It's clear HDM are masters of ambiguity and deception, or very poor at telling stories accurately or worse, both.
The headline should read Council pays for Police Pod at Asda. The council have rented the Portacabin for £4,500, whist multi billion pound international company Asda coughs up £200 a week. It wouldn't surprise me if they employed one less security guy from the agency to compensate for this extra cost. As their comment states, they hope it deters shop lifters, that's their only concern, why should us consumers pay extra on food etc to compensate for shop lifting, and foot the bill for your own private police prescence onsite?
You big supermarkets should take more responsibility in your communities. Take free school milk for example. The amount of waste you go through you could easily step in and help. Not your phoney bolony voucher schemes which only promote more shopping for very little in return.”
by CPL, hull
Sunday, September 05 2010, 11:12AM
“T5, hull, what do you do for a living and how much do you earn?”
by confused, dunno
Sunday, September 05 2010, 5:46AM
“i'm a little confused, have Asda paid for the pod unit or not? The HDM says the council have footed the £4500 rent bill, yet the headline clearly states "ASDA pays for police station pod"
have Asda paid the council back?
Come on HDM get the facts and get them straight, Is this another example of this rag putting words in other peoples mouths?
perhaps HDM should have said "Asda supports / sponsors police pod"
Are Asda expecting preferential treatment for supporting this unit? no-one gets something for nothing!”
by t5hull, hull
Saturday, September 04 2010, 11:01PM
“i dont know which one is the biggest waste of money the pod or the two pcso's on £22000 a year each.”
by Mr Underworld, Cost Del Yorkshire
Saturday, September 04 2010, 10:26PM
“Had to use this Police Pod earlier today, after spotting a baby,unattended and left in a car in the Car park.
After discussing and reporting the matter to a PCSO i was amazed that the PCSO had not done anything, apart from gaurding the vehicle, this was for approx 20 mins, surley they should of forced entry to remove the baby sooner !”
by chris, East Yorkshire
Saturday, September 04 2010, 8:47PM
“I remember when their was a small Police station near Asda,
between the roundabout from their car park and Hesle road, the Police did have a sub station.
If the Police brought back the sub stations and the Village bobby's crime would be cut by 50%”
by ROb, Hull
Saturday, September 04 2010, 6:08PM
“Absolutely disgraceful, what next, Police cars sponsored by Tesco?
This dangerous nonsense has got to stop.”