Stopping station closures could mean 860 fewer officers – Foster

WEST Midland mayor Andy Street’s plan to stop the closure of 30 police stations across the region could lead to the loss of 860 officers, the police commissioner warned.

In a letter seen by the Post, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster, who has approved the controversial closures, argued it was a choice between police buildings and officers, as he insisted the plan to close stations would provide better value for the public. He warned the mayor that blocking his strategy risked hundreds of police officer roles being axed.

Police buildings across the region are under threat as part of a controversial planned shake-up of the force estate.

“Expensive and under-used” stations would eventually be disposed of, with a smaller number of new and refurbished buildings to be used instead.

The proposals have sparked concerns about a lack of access to police in communities.

The PCC insisted it was “misleading the public of the West Midlands” to suggest the stations could be saved “cost-free”.

In a letter to the Walsall MP Eddie Hughes, Mr Foster wrote: “There has recently been public commentary to the effect that all police stations within the West Midlands should be retained at their existing locations.

“This pledge appears to proceed on the fundamental misunderstanding that such a commitment would be cost-free and without consequences. Let me be clear.

“It would not. To suggest otherwise, is to seriously mislead the public of the West Midlands. “I will not countenance irresponsible, open-ended, uncosted and unfunded pledges that put frontline policing and other essential policing activities at serious risk and jeopardise public safety. West Midlands Police already has about 700 fewer police officers than it had in 2010.

“It is important that it is clearly understood a failure to adopt the strategy will risk the loss of up to a further 860 police officers. That would leave West Midlands Police with up to 1,560 fewer police officers than it had in 2010. “I repeat, police stations are important, but I will always prioritise maintaining police officer and staff numbers, because when tough choices have to be made, as a consequence of managing a budget that remains under severe pressure, it is police officers and staff that prevent, tackle and reduce crime and protect the vulnerable, not police buildings.”

Mr Street said in November: “Crime in this region has more than doubled in the last eight years. Local stations are important to the public and should be kept open.”