Just 157 complete survey on police cuts

Fewer than 160 people have completed an online questionnaire about proposed overnight closures of police stations across the West Midlands, it emerged today.

The cash-strapped force wants to shut 12 bases including those in Wednesfield, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen and Bloxwich from 6pm to 10am to save money. But a full public consultation was launched after councillors, MPs and members of the public raised it as an issue.

The consultation is now over and 157 have answered the request for views.

This is despite more than 1,400 visits to the survey on the web page.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Zoe Lee said the representations would be considered with a decision over closures in the "coming weeks".

Despite the small number of people submitting concerns through the website, more than 7,000 people have signed petitions against the plans for Bloxwich, Dudley and stations across the wider West Midlands area.

Former Birmingham councillor Mike Olley, who is hoping to become the Labour party's candidate for the Crime Commissioner role for the West Midlands this year, helped collect signatures for a 1,200-strong petition.

He said the process of consultation was "flawed" and that by only allowing online representations, key members of the public will have been missed.

"I believe the senior command team initiated a low-key, almost hidden consultation," he added.

West Midlands Police is faced with having to save £126 million over the next four years as it tries to manage Government cuts in funding.

More than 2,000 police officer and staff roles will go during that period.

The force has already announced £25m of savings this year.