Opening hours cut at Shropshire police stations
Opening hours are to be slashed at police public service desks across Shropshire as part of multi-million pound savings plans.
Opening hours are to be slashed at police public service desks across Shropshire as part of multi-million pound savings plans.
The reduced opening hours for people to report crimes will be introduced between March and May at police stations in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Market Drayton, Telford and Wellington. Shrewsbury town centre station will not be affected.
Overall, 31 public service counters will be affected across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
West Mercia Police Authority approved the plans yesterday afternoon.
But bosses stressed there were no plans to make any staff redundant as part of the changes, which come as the force faces cuts of £5million this year.
The public service desk at Malinslee in Telford and at Monkmoor in Shrewsbury will be closed two hours earlier on a Saturday and have its Sunday openings reduced by eight hours.
In Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Market Drayton desks will be shut all day on a Monday with reduced hours the rest of the week.
Where opening hours have been cut alternative services will be provided including phone links outside stations and information stands providing crime prevention materials.
West Mercia Police said the changes followed extensive research.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell said today: "The change to public service counter opening times will not affect local policing and all police stations will remain operational."
Sheila Blagg, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, said: "West Mercia Police Authority and the force are committed to delivering efficient and effective policing. We face further budget reductions in 2012/13 and have addressed these by seeking to improve efficiency while maintaining front line police officer services.
"The review concentrated on offering opening times that fit with peaks in service demand alongside staff levels. Opening times at each station have been adjusted specifically to fit with local demand."
The public can still call 101 for non-emergencies, 999 in an emergency or visit www.westmercia.police.uk
