Huntingbridge

Huntingbridge is a small market town.

It began life as a small Saxon settlement by the River Great Hunt and gradually grew over the years, due to the importance of its market and the building of the first bridge in 1110 AD.

Huntingbridge has had high points and low points over the last 1,000 years. The population has grown rapidly over the past twenty-five years from 12,000 in 1970, to 20,000 in 1995, largely as a result of the construction of a large housing estate and industrial estate creating many jobs.

The town has a wide range of facilities, including a main line railway station, a large town centre shopping area, market, hospital, out of town shopping area, library, cinema, a number of pubs, a night club and a large industrial estate. There is also a nature reserve and marina.

The police station is usually open from 0800 hrs to 2400 hrs every day for callers. It is manned 24 hours a day and as well as uniform patrols there is a traffic department and ClD offices.

Huntingbridge has a magistrate’s court and crown court.

The fire station is manned 24 hours by regular fire fighters.

The hospital has an ambulance station and a 24-hour casualty department. Education in Huntingbridge is provided by several primary schools, a comprehensive school and a sixth form college.

Crime in Huntingbridge is not high by national standards, although it causes some residents concern. The Police are working with the community on a range of projects to try and reduce crime and the fear of crime, through Neighbourhood Watch, Countryside Watch, the District Council and other interested groups.

Some of the schools have active Junior Crime Prevention Panels and Youth Action Groups. The Town Council has established a Youth Town Council. This is an elected group of 15 to 20 year old people in the town. They address issues that relate to young people. They are set up as a Council Sub Committee and have a budget allocation.

Huntingbridge has recently had two CCTV schemes installed in the town. One is located in the shopping area and Market Square and the other at the hospital. These have helped to cut crime. There are plans to extend these schemes when more money becomes available.