Police officers move into new base at Dudley Fire Station

The move is expected to save West Midlands Police money and make more efficient use of the fire service’s estate.

It comes as part of the West Midlands Police Estates Programme, announced in 2018, which will save the force £5 million per year through disposing of underused buildings with millions of pounds worth of maintenance costs outstanding, and making other parts of the estate more efficient.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said: “Co-locating with our colleagues at West Midlands Fire Service has allowed neighbourhood teams to remain where the public want them to be. At the heart of the communities which they serve.

“Not only will this move allow us to save money but it will also mean that officers are able to work much closer with the fire service.

“We have already seen the success of co-location in Walsall, where we have police officers and PCSOs working alongside the council.

“This approach is allowing us to save money by protecting funding for neighbourhood policing, thus allowing recruitment of officers and PCSOs.”

Assistant Director for Corporate Asset Management for West Midlands Police, Andy Kelly, said: “Bringing our services direct to the public by working from joint community bases is a key part of our new strategy aimed at improving the services we provide to the public.

“We would like to have more officers co-located in shared premises based in the heart of local communities.”

The neighbourhood team from Sedgley moved into the new location on September 30. The new location does not serve as public contact offices and is not open to the public.