Police officers are being harshly criticized for spending £24,000 of taxpayers’ money on two of Britain’s smallest police stations that have been ridiculed

A police unit has been accused of spending £24,000 of taxpayers’ money on two of Britain’s smallest train stations.

The 6′ x 8′ cop shops were installed crime Hotspots to combat anti-social behavior and promote social engagement.

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But the sites – which cost £12,000 each – were branded by the staff association as a “gimmick” for rank-and-file officers.

The scale-like “PC pods” offer just enough space for a table and chairs, but have no cells.

Raffaele Cioffi, Behavior and Performance Officer at Sussex police Federation said: “It is an attempt to engage the public.

“But is it the right strategy and place to bring £12,000 to the public? Money When are there other important problems? Then no.

“If it looks like a gimmick, sounds like a gimmick and looks like a gimmick, then it probably is a gimmick.”

One pod opened in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in August and the other in Crawley, West Sussex, at the end of last month.

They are solar powered, made from 1,312 recycled bottles and primarily served by PCSOs.

The capsules were funded with government funding from Operation Safety – a project between the police and the Home Office to combat serious violence.

The Sun reported how the Crawley capsule was ridiculed by locals, with one saying: “It will be destroyed or turned upside down.”

Sussex Police, which closed seven police stations between 2011 and 2021, said: “These eco-friendly pods continue our efforts to support our communities and deter crime.”

But Mr Cioffi replied: “They are very small and you can’t do much work there. The officer may record the details of a crime but must return to a station to process the report.”