Police station will stay in Wombourne

A village in South Staffordshire will be allowed to keep its police station, despite the present building being earmarked for the axe to cut costs, force chiefs have pledged.

The future of Wombourne Police Station has been in doubt since the announcement of £39 million of savings by Staffordshire Police.

Anxious residents presented a 1,256-signature petition to Parliament pleading for police to retain a "proper" base in the village after the current one closes.

And Staffordshire Chief Constable Mike Cunningham has now pledged the village will retain a police base.

He gave the assurance to Wombourne civic leaders.

South Staffordshire Tory MP Gavin Williamson, who attended a meeting with members of the local parish, district and county councils, said: "The Chief Constable gave an absolute guarantee of a continued police presence in Wombourne for the foreseeable future.

"I am delighted that the force have responded in such a positive way after listening to the concerns of local people.

"He promised that there would be a fixed presence in Wombourne with public access and a proper response base for his officers."

Mr Williamson said the Chief Constable had pledged that the current police station, which is too large, will not be closed until a suitable alternative in the village is ready to open. "The replacement will be a proper police station and not some hole-in-the corner apology for one," he added.

Wombourne Police Station is facing closure with Staffordshire Police forced to make savings of £39m due to Government cuts.

It is among nine stations, including ones in Lichfield and Rugeley, that have been earmarked to be shut.