Public meeting in Shrewsbury to discuss future of local policing
A public meeting in Shrewsbury will today give people the chance to discuss the future of police stations in the West Mercia area.
West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Bill Longmore, is inviting people to tell him their thoughts on plans to review local policing.
Details have been outlined by West Mercia Police of how it intends to save just over £20 million by 2015, and part of the plan involves restructuring local policing teams and reviewing the force’s estate and premises.
The restructuring will lead to changes in some areas, some police stations will close to allow budgets to be invested in keeping police officers on the beat.
Today’s events at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury will run from 1pm to 4pm, and will allow people to meet Bill Longmore and the Chief Constable, David Shaw, and ask questions about the proposals.
As part of the plans, there will be 11 main patrol bases across West Mercia and 82 Safer Neighbourhood Teams which will mean every community in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Herefordshire and Worcestershire will maintain a good policing presence.
As well as the main patrol bases, there will be local bases so officers can remain on their patch when filing reports and doing other administrative tasks rather than having to travel back to the nearest police station.
Bill said: “These proposals are all about making the best use of the police estate, so we can put as much resource as possible towards getting bobbies on the beat. These plans can save £1.5 million, which is the equivalent of 30 Police Constables or 51 PCSOs, so there is a clear reasoning behind them.
“I do understand if people are concerned about the possible closure of some police station, but it’s important to remember that it’s police officers who help keep our communities safe, not police stations. I would urge everyone to come along to these meetings if they can to hear more about the plans, and to ask any questions they may have about how they might affect them.
“I am also very happy to go out to communities and talk to people directly, so please do get in touch.”
