As of Monday, the foyer of Bathurst Police Station will be largely inaccessible and the command bus, parked at the entrance of the station, will accommodate walk-in police inquiries.

While officers will be on hand to speak with the public, senior police have pleaded with the community to, wherever possible, use alternative methods to contact police while the station undergoes the upgrade.

In March 2021, police called on the Bathurst community to report crime via alternative methods to reduce foot traffic as major refurbishment work commenced at the Rankin Street station.

Bathurst Police Station Officer in Charge, Acting Inspector Marita Shoulders, said as of Monday, June 28, foot traffic will be directed to the command bus on arrival where inquiries will be processed between the hours of 7am and 4pm with limited foyer access outside of those times.

She said it is expected the arrangement will continue for about six weeks.

"Police continue to urge the public to make police inquiries and report crime via alternative methods where possible," she said.

Inspector Shoulders reassured the public all inquiries and reports of crime are dealt with equally in priority when lodged via alternative methods.

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"At this stage of the refurbishment we're really asking the community to work with us in reducing foot traffic."

This can be done by making inquiries and reporting crime via alternative methods such as the Police Assistance Line or PoliceLink.

"All reports are prioritised in the same manner, regardless of whether they're made in person or via alternative methods, so the community can be assured our local police will deliver the same level of care with their concerns," she said.

"It will assist police greatly if the public takes on our advice and utilises the command bus at the front of the station as there will be no front counter functioning for approximately six weeks, so this will ensure the best customer service during this period of the refurbishment."

Reporting methods include: Triple Zero (000) for emergencies (ie: when a life is in danger, a crime is happening now, when the event is time critical).

Alternatively, call Bathurst Police Station on 6332 8699, the Police Assistance Line on131 444 or via https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au/

If you are a victim of crime, other than in life threatening or time critical emergency situations, you should contact the NSW Police Assistance Line (131 444) or report online through the NSW Police Force Community Portal: https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au/

If you want to report criminal activity call Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers provides members of the public the ability to report information on criminals and/ or criminal activity. You can also report online via https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ or phone 1800 333 000.

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