Crime risk not high enough to warrant external shutters on a Wisbech pharamacy, councillors will be told

THE crime risk faced by a Wisbech pharmacy is not high enough to merit it having security shutters on the outside, councillors will be told next week.

Fairbrothers Pharmacy in Church Terrace has applied for planning permission to install a security shutter and new aluminium shop front.

But a report to go before Fenland District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday says the premises in a conservation area “is not considered to be at significant crime risk” and its current internal shutters and toughened glass could be used to overcome the risk of crime.

A police architectural liaison officer says the only burglary at the shop in the last year was carried out through the glass in the front door, and an internal grille or shutter would have prevented the incident. Its internal shutter was not used at the time of the offence.

The officer added: “There has been only one incident of a nearby property having a window damaged. The crime risk of burglary to this property, which shutters or grills would prevent, is moderate.”

The decision has been called in by Councillor David Hodgson of Wisbech, because he considers that the security benefits of the proposal should be given weight in the decision making process.

Councillors will be told that the proposed works are “not proportionate to any perceived crime risk.”

Recommending refusal of the plan, a council planning officer says in the report: “The proposed external shutters and aluminium shop front would appear as incongruous features, which would be to the detriment of the character and visual amenities of the Wisbech Conservation Area and the setting of the neighbouring Grade I listed building.”