Reopen Witney Police Station Front Desk 

Charlie Maynard, our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Witney, and Tim Bearder, candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in elections on May 2nd, 2024, have launched a campaign to push Thames Valley Police to reopen the police front desk in Witney.

The front desk at Witney police station was closed during COVID-19 and has not reopened since. This means that there is now not a single location in West Oxfordshire where residents can go and meet police officers in person, seek assistance and report crimes. The closure of the station's front desk has left the community without a local hub for face-to-face interactions with police officers and only able to communicate with police over the phone or online. 

"Police front desks play a vital role in keeping our communities safe and residents in West Oxfordshire are concerned. The closest front desks are now in Abingdon and Oxford, which, for many people, are not practical solutions," says Charlie Maynard. “Witney residents would like to see Witney police station re-opened to ensure that local people have access to the services they need to stay safe and secure.”

Since the pandemic, police stations have been reopening in various parts of the country, including Devon and Hampshire. Charlie Maynard is actively campaigning for Thames Valley Police to join this trend and reopen the station front desk in Witney. This is also backed by the Police Crime and Commissioner candidate, Tim Bearder. 

“I  recognise the challenges posed by the pandemic, but other regions have found ways to reopen police stations while prioritising public safety. I am urging Thames Valley Police to follow suit and work with the community to devise a plan for reopening the Witney station. I am eager to see a clear plan for how this can be accomplished swiftly and effectively,” Charlie Maynard said.