A current councillor and former Mayor has expressed his anger at relocation plans that could leave a busy North East town without a police response force for an unknown period of time.

Councillor Ken Robson, Independent Councillor for Aycliffe West, has raised more concerns that Newton Aycliffe could be left without a localised police response whilst the force transitions to a new location.

The force has shared offices with the fire service at Newton Aycliffe Fire and Police Community Station on Central Avenue since 2013, where locals can access the report desk for assistance from officers.

Read more: Worry over potential loss of Newton Aycliffe police response

But now this ten-year lease will come to an end later this year the force is looking to find a new home at which time Newton Aycliffe could be made to rely on local officers from the likes of Bishop Auckland.

As Councillor Robson helps lead the campaign, he has admitted he is “angry” at the situation the town and its residents have been put in.

He said: “I’m very angry, to be honest, and confused. This situation that has been arising for the past ten years has left us wondering whether we will have a police station at all or a police presence.

“It is unacceptable because we already have a lack of police presence and a shortage of police. I often get complaints about residents never seeing a police officer around town.”

Whilst the police have assured locals they will be supported from other forces, the sheer scale of Durham Constabulary’s patch could mean responders could face a drive of up to 40 minutes to respond to calls out of town.

In the case of incidents such as the tragic death of Craig Gill at Blakes Sports Bar and Lounge in the town, similar occurrences could face longer response waits.

For Cllr Robson, this is an extremely worrying thought.

He added: “It is all very concerning. The station is only about four hundred yards away from Blakes bar but if you remove the police from that location to Bishop Auckland it would be much longer.”

The town will now gather at Great Aycliffe’s Town Council building tomorrow (July 26) at 7pm to discuss the plans and try to find a solution, with Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen expected to attend.

“This is a very serious situation for County Durham because if it can happen here there is absolutely nothing to stop it from happening elsewhere.”

Cllr Robson is not the first to raise these worries, with Aycliffe East Councillor Neville Jones and Conservative MP for Sedgefield Paul Howell also shedding light on the pressing issue.

Cllr Jones told the Echo: “We pay an awful lot of council tax in Newton Aycliffe for this. The police precept on our council tax is really expensive, yet we just do not seem to have a police force.

“It’s just wrong. Sadly, the Police and Crime Commissioner came to Newton Aycliffe and assured us all that it would be sorted out but that is just not the case.”

These plans come just weeks after a man sadly died at Blake’s in Newton Aycliffe following an incident inside the pub.

MP for Sedgefield, Paul Howell, also stressed he is "extremely concerned" at the plans as he launches a petition to "prevent the removal of frontline police officers".

He said: “I am intensely frustrated that the Police team have allowed it to get to this situation, we need cooperation from all to find a way forward. This not only affects Newton Aycliffe but the localities served by this team.

“Newton Aycliffe is the third biggest urban area in County Durham, and it is getting let down by a lack of estates strategy and the Labour PCC needs to get on top of this. Newton Aycliffe should not be left with a police presence that is equivalent to a small housing estate.”

The Northern Echo has previously contacted Durham Constabulary, who have reassured residents that they will continue to be protected by other forces from Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland whilst the team relocates.

A spokesperson said: “Following the conclusion of a ten-year arrangement with Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary is seeking a suitable venue in Newton Aycliffe to house our Response and Neighbourhood Teams. 

"The neighbourhood team will continue to operate from the fire station until such time as new premises are found.

“Response operations are currently under review and it is anticipated that temporary arrangements will see some service delivered from neighbouring stations. 

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"It has always been the case that residents of Newton Aycliffe have been serviced, in respect of response policing from Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and beyond where demand requires it.

"As the public would expect, effective plans are in place to ensure high-quality policing services are maintained while the search for permanent premises in Newton Aycliffe continues.

“It will always be the case that the residents of Newton Aycliffe will have a 24/7 response in terms of emergency calls and those incidents which require a fast-time response.”