THE fight to save Bolton Magistrates Court has received the backing of Greater Manchester's highest ranking police officer.

Chief Constable David Wilmot said proposals to switch cases to Bury Magistrates Court could prove too costly for police.

He spoke out over the controversial plans at Greater Manchester Police Authority's budget meeting.

And he also urged Bolton's Chief Superintendent Mel Pelham to publicly voice his disapproval to the scheme, saying the closure plans contradicted Government guidelines.

Cllr Frank White, Bolton's representative on GMP's Police Authority, raised the issue at the meeting.

Mr Wilmot said: "The Government is encouraging services to promote joined-up thinking. In the judicial system there should be no 'silo' attitudes.

"Partners' costs should be taken into consideration and I have reservations regarding costs to the police service should these courts transfers take place."

More than 13,000 people across the town have already joined the BEN's battle to save the historic courthouse in Le Mans Crescent.

The building could close by December unless the campaign to save it proves successful.

The news will be welcomed by members of an action group formed in Bolton to fight the proposals by the Greater Manchester Magistrates Courts Committee.

Action group member Cllr White said: "The Chief Constable said that he had serious reservations regarding the closure and the implications it would have on the police force should the transfer go ahead.

"It is obviously very good news that Mr Wilmot is on board.

He added: "He is looking at this from a point of view that different agencies and partnerships will just not work if cases are shifted to Bury. This is what the GMMCC are not taking into account.

"It will definitely not help access to local justice, which could totally disappear."

THE fight to save Bolton Magistrates Court has received the backing of Greater Manchester's highest ranking police officer.

Chief Constable David Wilmot said proposals to switch cases to Bury Magistrates Court could prove too costly for police.

He spoke out over the controversial plans at Greater Manchester Police Authority's budget meeting.

And he also urged Bolton's Chief Superintendent Mel Pelham to publicly voice his disapproval to the scheme, saying the closure plans contradicted Government guidelines.

Cllr Frank White, Bolton's representative on GMP's Police Authority, raised the issue at the meeting.

Mr Wilmot said: "The Government is encouraging services to promote joined-up thinking. In the judicial system there should be no 'silo' attitudes.

"Partners' costs should be taken into consideration and I have reservations regarding costs to the police service should these courts transfers take place."

More than 13,000 people across the town have already joined the BEN's battle to save the historic court in Le Mans Crescent.

The building could close by December unless the campaign to save it proves successful.

The news will be welcomed by members of an action group formed in Bolton to fight the proposals by the Greater Manchester Magistrates Courts Committee.

Action group member Cllr White said: "The Chief Constable said that he had serious reservations regarding the closure and the implications it would have on the police force should the transfer go ahead.

"It is obviously very good news that Mr Wilmot is on board.

He added: "He is looking at this from a point of view that different agencies and partnerships will just not work if cases are shifted to Bury. This is what the GMMCC are not taking into account.

"It will definitely not help access to local justice, which could totally disappear."