THE Chairman of the Bench at Hartlepool Magistrates has sent an open letter in an attempt to rally support against a Government plan to close the court.

Peter Bowes argues that the cost-cutting move would actually end up costing the taxpayer more money in the long run and could also lead to the eventual closure of the town's police station.

The court is recommended for closure by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and a consultation process is ongoing.

The HMCTS consultation report shows that Hartlepool Magistrates Court employs eight people and the County Court, or civil court, also in the building, employs seven staff. It costs £345,000-a-year to run. The court house was built in 1979 and is a leasehold property, with the lease running out in 2075.

Hartlepool MP, Iain Wright, and leader of the council, Christopher Akers-Belcher, have already declared their opposition to the potential closure and urged people to take part in a consultation process.

In his letter, sent to Mr Wright and all councillors, Mr Bowes argues that Hartlepool magistrates have a better performance record than their equivalents in Middlesbrough and closing the court would:

*Deny people access to local justice.

*Court users will have no access to public transport on arrival back to Hartlepool. Victims will often have to use the same public transport as the defendant.

*Police will be diverted from their ordinary work to issue warrants and transport prisoners to Teesside Magistrates Court in Middlesbrough.

*It will make it harder for probation officers to work with criminals.

Mr Bowes said in the letter: "Closure actually ends up costing Her Majesty's Court Service rather than saving money. The taxpayer ends up paying more. There are a number of alternatives and we would productively engage should one of these be adopted instead of the proposed closure.

"I represent the magistrates who serve Hartlepool. We believe that the proposal to close the courts is not in the public interest and is not in the interest of justice. Closure will result in real and significant damage to Hartlepool’s society and its people."

In addition, Mr Bowes expressed fears Hartlepool Police Station could also eventually close as a result of the court closure, although there are no current plans to shut the station.

He said: “The police will be diverted from their day-to-day roles to exercise warrants and transport prisoners to Teesside. Hartlepool Police office may close as prisoners end up being diverted to Middlesbrough.”

A spokeswoman for HM Courts and Tribunals service explained that Hartlepool is just one court being considered for closure and Consett in County Durham may also be closed.

Natalie Ceeney, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service Chief Executive, said: “Our estate is a significant asset. As we modernise our service so that fewer people will need to attend a court in person."

The consultation period ends on Thursday, October 8. Find out more at gov.uk/government/consultations/proposal-on-the-provision-of-court-and-tribunal-estate-in-england-and-wales