Chief constable: No police station will close unless there is an alternative
No police station will close in the West Midlands unless a suitable alternative is available, the region's top officer has vowed.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson has mounted a staunch defence of his decision to close 24 stations across the region, including eight in the Black Country.
The controversial move, which was signed off by Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson last week, has been blasted by critics as evidence of the force withdrawing from public view.
But Mr Thompson has insisted that neighbourhood policing teams will remain in the communities they serve.
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He said that no buildings would close until public engagement had taken place, and the force had identified suitable alternative sites.
"A high number of the poor buildings we intend to dispose of are small neighbourhood stations and this has caused a lot of concern," he said.
"Quite rightly, we want neighbourhood teams in their communities. This is why a large part of the estate plan is to look at re-provision of the neighbourhood buildings with partners.
"At this time we have not worked out where these sites will be, but we won’t close buildings until we have engaged with the public to look at where the alternative provision will be."
Mr Thompson said the future strategy for the force’s buildings had been driven by the need to scrap buildings that were in poor condition, as well as financial implications.
"The need is for buildings that suit modern policing," he said. "The force is and will be investing heavily in technology which will create an ever more mobile organisation.
"We are trying to get ourselves out of buildings, so we are more visible, meaning that the requirement we have for buildings is changing quite significantly."
Another issue is cost, he said, adding: "Some of our buildings are just not fit for purpose and there is a backlog of £20m in repairs.
"Some of the buildings, indeed some of the most interesting or externally attractive, are at the end of their life and quite empty.
"We need buildings that are fit for purpose, modern sites which facilitate great team work."
The force says the new strategy will save around £5m a year in building costs, and will also create 'more efficient buildings'.
Mr Thompson added: "The types of buildings the police need is also changing.
"We have invested in changes to Lloyd House [WMP headquarters] to increase the occupancy levels significantly, which enabled us to get rid of surplus buildings.
"This has improved the way the organisation works."
The Chief Constable added: "Perhaps understandably lots of the focus has been on what we are taking away and not what the future vision is.
"We know which buildings are underused or at the end of life but not yet where we will go as we leave them.
"The aim of the strategy and the engagement is to work this out over the next few years.
"I give you my assurance there is a lot to discuss before any of the sites in the strategy close and I hope for some real creativity on where we can share with partners."
Mr Thompson pledged that there will be 'a heavy level' of public engagement over the closures.
He said: "This isn't about withdrawing. It is about trying to make sure we make best use of our money, have the right estate, not having our people working in poor quality buildings and ensuring that we have officers based in the community."
Under the plans, Bilston's Prouds Lane station will close this summer.
Sedgley station in Vicar Street will close the following year while Oldbury, Wednesfield, Aldridge and Tipton will close in 2020.
Smethwick will close in 2021 and Wednesbury in 2022.
The force is considering relocating some police bases, with co-locating arrangements with the fire service or other public buildings, including schools, under consideration.
