The enquiry counter at the 2004-built police station on Queen's Park Road, will close alongside 22 other counters across Greater Manchester, including Littleborough in Rochdale.
The shock news comes despite promises from top cop Peter Fahy to reconsider the decision in response to objections from residents during a meeting at Rochdale Town Hall in September last year.
A review that was undertaken by the police authority and GMP claims to show that there has been a dramatic fall in the number of people visiting police enquiry counters.
The closures are part of Greater Manchester Police's efforts to cut £132.4M from their budget.
More than 2.500 people took part in the consultation exercise, with the force also undertaking a formal 90-day statutory consultation with staff and Unison about the changes.
Due to voluntary redundancies and requests from some staff to reduce their working hours, it is anticipated that no compulsory redundancies will be issued to staff currently working at public enquiry counters.
Chairman of the police authority Coun Paul Murphy said: “After listening to the views of the public and staff and reviewing the results of the demand analysis, we are confident that GMP can continue to provide a face-to-face service that meets the needs of the public with 22 enquiry counters open to the public.
“As part of our plans to find savings of £134M by 2015, we need to ensure that we concentrate our resources where they have the biggest impact so that our communities receive an efficient, effective police service.”
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan added: “Neighbourhood policing remains at the heart of what we do and we will continue to provide contact locally with officers at neighbourhood meetings and surgeries, arranging appointments and getting in touch by telephone, email or through social networks.
“We will continue to listen to the views of our communities to help shape the future delivery of policing in Greater Manchester.” Tweet
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It's the paperwork police that consume the efficiency and money of the force, not operations like this. Heywood needs a decent police presence and this sends out the wrong message.
Well thank you coun Paul Murphy,do you really think that even prior to this closure that the police provide "an efficient,effective police service" ? I doubt that many of your voters would agree with that statement.
Just shows really how out of touch you politicos really are................