NORTH Cornwall’s MP has criticised the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner following the decision to keep Launceston Police Station’s enquiry desk closed.

Ben Maguire, MP for North Cornwall, has today criticised the decision by Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Alison Hernandez to reject his call for the reopening of the public enquiry desk at Launceston Police Station.

Mr Maguire had written to the PCC last week, urging her to reinstate front desk services at the station to improve accessibility for residents in and around Launceston, particularly in tackling rural crime.

However, according to the MP, within just a few working hours, his request was flatly denied without any meaningful consideration or reassessment of the need for such a facility.

Having raised the issue during a debate on rural crime in Parliament last week, Mr Maguire pointed out the importance of accessible policing for rural communities. He argued that reopening the Launceston front desk would be a key step in restoring public confidence.

Commenting on the response, Ben Maguire MP said: “For a decision to be reached within just a few office hours shows that this was never properly considered. A flat-out ‘no’ does not do the people of Launceston justice, nor does it acknowledge the serious concerns that so many residents have about crime in our rural areas. A decision seems to have already been made, and no further consideration was given.

“Two-thirds of crimes go unreported because people simply don’t know where to turn or don’t have confidence that anything will be done. Reopening Launceston’s front desk would have been a practical step toward fixing that, and yet it’s been dismissed without a second thought.

“My constituents deserve the same level of service as other towns, and I will continue to press for this to be given proper the consideration it needs.”