PLANS to close Chatteris police station and relocate officers to the town library were dubbed “pathetic” by Councillor Florence Newell when she heard about the scheme for the first time this week.

“I am not happy with that idea at all, the library is not a place for a police station,” she said. “I am sure that Chatteris Town Council will want to fight to retain the police station in East Park Street.”

According to a report put before Cambridgeshire Police Authority on Wednesday, a feasibility study into the closure of Chatteris police station has already begun.

“That’s news to me,” said Cllr Newell, a member of Chatteris Town Council and Fenland District Council. “I don’t know anything about it, it has not gone before the town council.

“Several years ago I fought to keep Chatteris police station, we had a public meeting when they tried to close it. Chatteris is a growing town and there are a lot of problems in Chatteris, there are more drugs than a little. The library is not suitable, it is a pathetic idea.”

The police authority’s estate review and development plan was considered by their finance and resources committee, “to review the estate and propose methods of reducing the space requirement.”

Chatteris police station is currently open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm, and is closed at weekends and bank holidays.

An item on the police authority report said: “Chatteris - it is recommended that the feasibility study on relocating to the library is continued with initial findings being reported to the Chief Officer Group.”

The report says the police station at Wisbech is currently subject to discussion with partners, and a shared services building is being considered.

It is recommended that police stations at March and Whittlesey should be retained.