24 police buildings to close across the Midlands

West Midlands Police are to close and sell off 24 buildings in a bid to save money for investment in frontline officers.

Many of the buildings facing the axe are former police stations, which were closed to the public several years ago and most are being used as offices for staff.

Only two on the for sale list, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield stations, are currently open to the public and will be replaced with a police office open to the public elsewhere in the towns’ centre before they are closed.

Police will also look to share buildings with other public agencies including councils and health services.

But Police commissioner David Jamieson has moved to assure residents that the force will retain the current level of ten police stations open to the public across the region.

Mr Jamieson said that the estimated £5 million a year savings on buildings and maintenance costs will allow him to protect 100 constables jobs.

It is also proposed to develop key new facilities including an Events Control Suite for monitoring major public events, including the Commonwealth Games.

The stations and buildings being sold are:

BIRMINGHAM:

Acocks Green
Balsall Heath
Shard End
Kingstanding
Sutton Coldfield – to be replaced with public contact office
Harborne
Quinton
Digbeth
Handsworth
Nechells

COVENTRY:

Canley
Foleshill
Willenhall
DUDLEY:
Sedgley

HEADQUARTERS:

Edgbaston
Prouds Lane
Princip Street

SANDWELL:

Oldbury
Smethwick
Tipton
Wednesbury

SOLIHULL:

Solihull – to be replaced with public contact office

WALSALL:

Aldridge

WOLVERHAMPTON:

Wednesfield

Read more: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/24-police-buildings-being-closed-14298451