A BUDE-Stratton councillor has branded the decision to close the inquiry office at the town's police station as a 'backwards step'. Cllr Julia Bryson was responding to the news delivered by Bude Police Sergeant and temporary team leader Jez Theobald, who was at the annual town meeting last week to discuss matters relating to the work of the police over the previous year. The decision to close the inquiry office from October 31 drew criticism from Cllr Bryson, who described it as 'very, very sad'. She said: "It's a real backwards step. Do you believe that people will be able to register crimes with you — unless it's an emergency?"

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