Leicestershire Police look for free office space

Police chiefs in Leicestershire are looking for free accommodation for beat officers as they look to cut costs.

The force will raise £1m by selling three buildings and save a further £300,000 by leaving leased premises.

The force said it was looking for offers from the public for locations where it could base neighbourhood policing teams.

The teams only need a small amount of office space to do routine administration work, a spokesman said.

'On foot'

"The idea is to find 'no-cost' locations if possible - we already are working from 40 shared bases and all of them are free," a police spokeswoman said.

"Businesses and shops owners want us there and are happy to offer the space," she added.

The free office space is shared with schools, community centres and parish councils.

Assistant chief constable Steph Morgan said the force wanted to base more officers in locations that were closer to the community.

"With local officers now having access to technology such as mobile data terminals and Blackberrys, our policing style can now be more flexible," she said.

The move from police-owned buildings will not happen until suitable alternate locations are found and will not result in job losses.

The only manned police station involved - located in Blaby - will relocate to Braunstone in December.

Leicestershire Police are aiming to save £15m in the next financial year and may have to cut 150 staff.