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16 May, 2022

Plans revealed to sell Masham Police House as a community asset

Owned by North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Masham Police House will be sold as a community asset next year with the decision to co-locate fire and police services at Masham Fire Station.

This comes as Commissioner Zoë looks to make efficient and effective use of public assets that will benefit both the Police and Fire services in North Yorkshire and York, alongside being able to invest in frontline services to keep communities safe and feeling safe.

Masham Police House, referred to by locals as ‘the old police house’ was originally used to house the local Police Constable, but since 2003 the building has been leased to Mashamshire Community Office, a charity who provide community services and activities such as tourist information, the community library and arts and crafts.

During this nineteen-year period, North Yorkshire Police have continued to use a room in the building as a touchdown facility when required, allowing local officers a space to perform general admin tasks or use amenities.

Commissioner Zoë said:

“Co-locating services at Masham Fire Station aligns our Police and Fire service in this area, making effective use of our estate to ultimately maximise investment in frontline services as detailed in my Police and Crime Plan.

“North Yorkshire Police will continue to have a place of touchdown for local officers when needed, and they will continue as usual to work out of Ripon and Pateley Bridge police stations.

“Mashamshire Community Office is a fantastic local asset which has been providing benefit to the public for nearly two decades. I recognise this value on the community and I hope our sale will afford them the opportunity to purchase the property, with a supportive timeline and value agreed for this process.

“North Yorkshire Police will continue to patrol and engage with the local community, as they currently do.”

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Alex Langley said:

“From a public perspective, there won’t be any changes to the policing service delivered in Masham.

“We fully support this move and we are looking forward to co-locating with our fire service colleagues at Masham Fire Station.”

Commissioner Zoë has been working closely with Mashamshire Community Office who now have an opportunity to raise funds and purchase the property prior to it being offered for sale.

Paul Theakston, Chair of Trustees, Mashamshire Community Office said:

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to purchase the old police house, from which the Community Office has been delivering an ever-expanding range of services into our community for the past twenty years.

“Actually, owning the building will secure our position literally at the heart of the community and ensure that we will be able to provide community services long into the future”.

Should the sale of the Police House be successful and subject to negotiation, Mashamshire Community Office could also provide a front desk service for North Yorkshire Police, to facilitate necessary signposting and provide a point of contact with the local policing team when required.