West Midlands crime chief will look into front desk issues

The change is part of force plans to save £3 million a year by closing front offices at 17 sites across the region.

Bloxwich is closed to callers over the coming months, prompting complaints from residents and Walsall North MP David Winnick.

Walsall's station, in Green Lane, will remain open from 8am till 10pm while Bloxwich is refurbished.

The MP wrote to Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson about the issue.

He said: "I know that the front office at the Green Lane police station is to remain open, but those in other parts of the constituency – including Bloxwich and Willenhall –will not necessarily find it convenient to go to have to go to Green Lane, and even more so if they don't have a car.

"As you know, I have on a number of occasions both in the House of Commons and in the constituency, sharply criticised the very substantial cuts which have occurred to the West Midlands Police over the last five years.

"There remains much concern over these offices being closed. Perhaps further consideration can be given to this important matter."

In reply Mr Jamieson stated: "Thank you for your letter regarding your constituency's concerns about the closure of the front office at Bloxwich Police Station due to building work commencing and continuing concerns over front desk closures in general. Please be assured that I will be looking into this as a matter of priority."

The closures follow a review of the future of police front offices. An announcement was made confirming the closure of 27 front offices across the force area, but just 17 have closed so far this year.

Last week it was revealed that West Midlands Police has suffered the biggest cuts to its finances among forces across the country.

A National Audit Office report found that the force has seen 26 per cent slashed from its grant from the government - worth more than £130m.

Funding for police services decreased by £2.3 billion – 25 per cent – between 2010 and this year.

While Lloyd House won praise for how it has handled the cuts, the report said some forces do not have a clear understanding of the demands placed upon them or of the factors that affect their costs.