Shirley Police Station is set to close

West Midlands Police has announced that Shirley Police Station is set to close its doors to the public at the end of this month.

In November the force revealed plans to shut 27 of its offices and reduce hours at others in a bid to save £3million.

Officers at the Stratford Road, Erdington, Handsworth, Harborne, Dudley, Walsall, Bilston and Willenhall stations will continue to work from the buildings – but there will be no access for members of the public.

The closures follow analysis which revealed there was little demand for services during the evening and overnight and most people wanted more modern ways of contacting police.

Since the beginning of the year 17 front offices, including the Bluebell Centre in Chelmsley Wood, Castle Vale and Acocks Green have closed.

Officers will still be based at all four borough stations and police chiefs say the front counter closures will not adversely alter the service they deliver.

Solihull Station in Homer Road will remain open from 8:00am to 10:00pm daily from 1st June as one of ten front counters regionally and Balsall Common will continue to be run by volunteers.

Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said the decision to close front offices was not taken lightly and followed a year-long review speaking to communities to gain a detailed understanding of the service the police provide and thoroughly analysing footfall.

He added: “The simple fact is front offices are hugely underused and cost the taxpayer millions each year to keep open. Nothing will change to the local delivery of policing – local neighbourhood teams will continue to patrol and be very much a part of their local community.

“Like all other forces, we have to continue to reduce spending and ensure taxpayers’ money is spent on the services which matter to them most. We need to ensure we offer a service that is relevant to people in their daily lives.”

Read more: http://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/shirley-police-station-set-to-close-4762/