To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2008, Official Report, columns 994-5W, on police stations, for what reasons changes in the use of police buildings have made it difficult to obtain comprehensive information as to the number of police stations in use. (186931)

The use of police stations has changed in recent years to reflect more flexible modern policing. Many forces have now devised innovative ways of increasing their accessibility to members of the public by using other more modern methods of interaction, such as police shops in high streets, police kiosks and by use of mobile police stations—particularly in rural areas.

The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs.