Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith has refused to comment on the surprise announcement that the run-down St. George's Police station will be renovated and re-opened after all.

At a press conference yesterday to announce this year's first quarterly crime statistics, Mr. Smith was asked to comment on Premier Jennifer Smith's claim last week that money had always been set aside to overhaul the station in the Old Town.

At the annual Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's, the Premier said there had been misinformation on talk shows and among the public that the present station was to be closed altogether, and a replacement provided in Southside.

She said the Southside station would be just the interim site for the Old Town while the present one is renovated.

And the Premier said provision for a new Police station in St. George's had been made in the 200002 Budget, and claimed that Government had simply not chosen to respond or correct the misinformation when there was a public outcry.

Yesterday, Police chief Mr. Smith said he would comment at a later stage, but not now.

He said: "I'm not in a position this afternoon to address questions with respect to St. George's Police station." Asked why he would not comment, he said it was a case of timing, and now was not the best time.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition urging a replacement station be found, in addition to the new Southside site, when the St. George's building closes later this year.

They said continuing problems with crime and gangs, in St. George's, along with the high rate of passengers on board cruise ships in the town, warranted a Police station.

Throughout the whole debate, members of Government, and the Police, continually told the community that Policing would continue to be provided in St. George's, but that the old station would close for good.

But last week, the Premier appeared to do a U-turn on the issue.

She said: "When Cabinet took a decision to place the East End Police station on Southside, it was with the agreement that the St. George's police station remain in the town of St. George and there be a Police presence in the town of St. George's.

"I want to assure the public that there is no need to feel that the St. George's Police presence won't be maintained in the town.

"The building is undergoing renovations, when those renovations are completed one will see a Police presence back in that building."

In the interim, she said, the east end division will be located at Southside.

Last night, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister, who had previously told the people of St. George's that the old station would close, said he had nothing to say on the issue now.

He said: "I have nothing to say. Talk to those people who spoke last week. They obviously have something to say."