Tory slams commissioner over refurb of police HQ

A BITTER row has broken out between the Conservative Leader of Dudley Council and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner over who is responsible for falling police numbers.

Cllr Patrick Harley took to Facebook to say there is adequate funding to employ officers on the beat before attacking Labour PCC, David Jamieson, over the refurbishment of the force’s Birmingham headquarters, Lloyd House.

Claiming the renovation cost £50 million, he described it as “vamping up” the building and a “disgrace”.

His comments provoked a sharp response from the PCC’s office which said he had got his figures wrong and he was “out of touch with reality”.

Cllr Haley said: “The decisions on police recruitment and retention are down to the Police and Crime Commissioner. There is adequate funding in his budget to make sure the West Midlands and Dudley in particular, have sufficient police officers.

“When you spend over £50 million refurbishing your headquarters, then you have no right to criticise any government – be it Labour, Conservative or whatever – about police cuts.

“He is a Labour PCC and it is totally unacceptable to spend £50 million decorating your offices when you are losing officers on the beat.”

His comments caused Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Lynnette Kelly, to defend her boss, David Jamieson, and the renovation of Lloyd House which she said cost £30 million but will save £3 million a year from not having to rent additional office space.