Lee Barron/Google
Suspects have been told to take photos of themselves at a short-staffed police station to prove they are complying with their bail conditions.
The local MP has called for a review of the decision to only open the police hub front desk in Corby, Northamptonshire, on two days each week.
Labour’s Lee Barron said the situation “makes a mockery of the judicial system”.
Northamptonshire Police said the restricted opening of the front desk was a “temporary arrangement”.
Police officers moved out of their station in Elizabeth Street to a hub at the multi-million-pound Corby Cube building in 2017.
Mr Barron, who became Corby and East Northamptonshire’s MP in July, said typed notices had been placed on the front desk at the Cube stating that “short staffing” had resulted in its hours being restricted to Tuesday and Thursday.
The notice also gave special instructions to “bail signers” – suspects who are given bail with a condition that they report regularly to a police station.
They were told to ring 101, or “take a photo on your phone proving yourself as being at the front desk”.
Lee Barron
Another notice added that they should “sign on one of these pieces of paper, put date and time and place through hatch”.
Mr Barron said: “This is no criticism of police officers – these officers deserve better resources to enable them to do their jobs. Currently, the service is just not good enough.
“It is time to review resources and set up a hub that can actually meet the demands of our communities.”
He added that the bail reporting instructions “make a mockery of the judicial system”.
“It is totally unacceptable that a handwritten note or a photo is sufficient evidence to ensure the individual is meeting their bail conditions,” he said.
“We need to see visibility and a high profile, and a police desk open two days a week does neither. This current situation is ridiculous.”
A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “We are currently dealing with a shortage of front desk staff at the Corby Cube, which has led to reduced hours of opening.
“This is a temporary arrangement, and new staff are currently going through the vetting process with a view to normal service resuming soon.
“The Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team is based at the Corby Cube, so there is a police presence at the location should they be required.”
