New police base for Aldridge officers announced by Police and Crime Commissioner
Police officers in Aldridge are set to move into a brand new, fit-for-purpose base under new plans by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
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Simon Foster said the plan is for Aldridge Neighbourhood Team to move out of their current police base on Anchor Road and relocate to join West Midlands Fire Service colleagues at Aldridge fire station just 1.3 miles away on Northgate.
The move is planned for spring, but is subject to a legal agreement being completed.
Aldridge Police Station has been closed to the public for over a decade and only houses one team of officers who no longer need a base of this size, while the nearest front office for the public will remain a short drive away in Bloxwich High Street.
A spokesman for the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner said: "This joined-up, efficient, tried-and-tested approach between front line police officers and firefighters stationed at the same base continues to be a significant success at six other locations across the West Midlands.
"It allows emergency services to work in tandem to protect and safeguard the local communities in which they serve, but to do so at a reduced cost to taxpayers.
"The Anchor Road site in Aldridge will be put up for sale.
"The PCC has committed to ensuring that any decision on a future sale is about delivering value to the community and the local area and that the money raised will be reinvested to improve frontline policing."
Mr Foster said: “I am pleased to announce that I am intending to deliver on my long-standing commitment to retain a police base in Aldridge.
“The aim is for the local neighbourhood team to join West Midlands Fire Service colleagues at Northgate, subject to a legal agreement.
“This decision is based on the independent and impartial, operational policing judgement of the Chief Constable, who advises me on what he requires to deliver an effective and efficient police service in the West Midlands.
“This proposed move will see a collaborative, improved and joined-up emergency service for the people of Aldridge.
“It will ensure officers remain within the community they serve, which is exactly where they need to be. That is central to my commitment to continue to re-build community policing.
“As a consequence of a reckless failure on the part of previous governments to provide fair funding, West Midlands Police has faced severe financial pressures. Tough choices have had to be made, between maintaining and prioritising police officer and staff numbers or police buildings.
“The priority must always be maintaining and protecting police officer and staff numbers. It is police officers and police staff that prevent and tackle crime and keep people safe and secure, not police buildings.
“Aldridge will continue to have a reassuring, strong and visible West Midlands Police presence based in the town, that will be committed and dedicated to preventing and tackling crime and to keeping people, families, businesses and the local community, safe and secure.”
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, who oversees policing across the Walsall borough, said: “The message is clear: our dedicated police team are staying in Aldridge, to serve Aldridge.
“A relocation can be a great chance for officers and firefighters to work more closely and that can only be a real positive for the residents and businesses in the town.
“It’s a move that can mirror what has worked brilliantly over at Willenhall following a relocation of teams there, with police colleagues working together as and when needed.”
Mark Hamilton-Russell, Head of Corporate Services for West Midlands Fire Service, said: “I’m confident this partnership will bring lasting benefits to our teams and the communities we serve. It will help both services optimise resources, reduce costs, and reinvest savings to improve service for our communities.
“By working together, we also enhance our approach to risk management. Such cooperation means we can deliver faster, more integrated responses to incidents.
“It will foster a stronger understanding of each service’s operations, enabling more effective mutual support.”
