Loving Hove Customer Centre
The Customer Centre in Hove Town Hall which offers council and police services at the same location will celebrate its first anniversary on 14 February.
Thousands of satisfied customers have used the centre over the last 12 months. In the most recent survey (October to December 2013), 96% said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service and 89% scored the centre 8 out of 10 or higher.
Visitors commented on staff being sympathetic, efficient, knowledgeable and very helpful.
The combined services have been a real advantage to both staff and residents. When someone handed in a lost purse to the police last year, the owner also lost her bus pass, so council staff ensured the resident had the pass up to date at the same time as her purse was returned.
Staff from the council and the police share ideas on how to improve services and work on joint initiatives at the centre.
Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp explained: “Relocating our teams to this central location in Hove is an example of how we are modernising our service, making ourselves more accessible and working more closely with our partners in the city.
“We have seen many examples of excellent partnership working since we moved into the Town Hall. The Neighbourhood Policing Team has worked alongside the Brighton & Hove City Council’s Accident Investigation and Prevention team to run a number of operations, including an initiative to encourage cyclists to be more visible and giving vital road safety tips to drivers too.
“Every day our Police Enquiry Officers work alongside Brighton & Hove City Council colleagues to provide support to very vulnerable members of the community who are regular visitors to the centre. By working together we get a fuller picture of what is happening and can draw on different expertise to help the local community. The feedback we have had about our new service has been extremely positive.
“As well as improving our face to face services, members of the public can now also report many kinds of crime and access an online help centre through our website www.sussex.police.uk "
Brighton & Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat added: “Hove Customer Centre at Hove Town Hall is a much more welcoming environment for visitors than it was a year ago. It’s been designed to feel comfortable and easy to use, with staff on hand to welcome people and direct them to the service they require.
“We have had some great feedback from people using the new centre. Bringing services together has also enabled us to make the best use of resources, saving money and reducing our carbon footprint. Sussex Police moved to Hove Town Hall from the Holland Road police station, which will provide space for a new primary school.”
Sussex Police and RISE, the Brighton and Hove domestic abuse charity, recently came together to launch the city’s first Domestic Abuse Drop-in 'Surgery' at Hove Town Hall, with the support of Brighton & Hove City Council.
Through the service, which adds to the ongoing Sussex-wide 'talk to us' campaign, focusing on domestic abuse, women and men of all ages can access expert information and advice from Sussex Police and RISE staff. The Surgery is available at the Customer Centre at Hove Town Hall, every Wednesday morning between 9am and 12 noon.
Council services located at Hove Customer Centre include parking, planning, building control, private sector housing, taxi licensing and highways, as well as general enquiries.
Police Enquiry Officers are on hand for people to report incidents and stolen property and get crime prevention advice and Hove’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has a base at Hove Town Hall.
Visitors to the centre can access both council and police services online in the self-service area.
More information
Find Hove Customer Centre