Yesterday, Thursday 23 March, the High Sheriff of Rutland officially opened the new Police desk located in Oakham.

Based at Rutland Police Station in Oakham, the office will be open from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, and will enable people to report crime or any concerns they have in their communities.

In attendance were Rob Nixon, who has been Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police since November 2022, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, Cllrs Lucy Stephenson, Leader of Rutland County Council and Cllr Rosemary Powell Deputy Leader, Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth Mayor of Oakham, and other Police and local officials.

The facility replaces the former front office based at Rutland County Council's contact centre in Oakham, which has been closed for some years.

This means that Rutland will no longer be the only County without a Police desk.

Image credit: Martin Brookes.

Police Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Rupert Matthews, said: "Being able to see and talk to a police officer matters a great deal to our communities. Rutland has been the only county in the country not to have a public facing enquiry desk, so I've pushed very hard for this. I've listened to local people who feel very strongly about the need for a contact point to meet officers in the heart of the community and this new facility is the result. 

"I recognise that feelings of safety go hand in hand with the ability to see police officers doing their jobs effectively in the community. This is what makes this provision so important."

Mr Nixon said: "Continuing to improve the visibility and accessibility of police across all communities is a key priority for the force and in rural locations, like parts of Rutland, it is even more important. 

"Throughout the last few years we have continued to expand the different ways the public can contact us, particularly digitally – with the use of online reporting.

"But we know different people prefer to engage with us in different ways and so it is vital we provide as many options as possible. Having a FEO at the station will help to strengthen the service we offer in the area."

Inspector Lindsey Madeley-Harland, NPA Commander for Rutland and Melton, added: "It is great to have a FEO open again. This facility is an extension of the service we already provide in Rutland and offers people in the county another point of contact.

"We encourage people to come in and speak to us if they have concerns or issues they would like to discuss. As always, our local officers and staff will still be policing across the region – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – patrolling the streets, engaging with our communities and responding to incidents."

View the full video of the opening, taken by Martin Brookes:

The Police desk can be found on Station Road, opposite St Joseph's Catholic Church.