Police stations facing closure

Bill Longmore is to open talks with West Mercia Police about running costs of police stations across the force area, including 18 in Shropshire and five in Telford & Wrekin.

The revelation comes after Market Drayton Town Council heard on Thursday that more than half of north Shropshire's five police stations – in Oswestry, Wem, Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Ellesmere – could be axed because of tough savings targets.

Force officials today said no decisions have been taken, adding they could not comment on speculation.

Councillor Roger Smith told the meeting: "As the cutbacks become more severe I'm hearing that three stations in north Shropshire are due for closure and one of them may be Market Drayton. Even if it's not closed I'm told that the service will be restricted."

Constable Martin Powell replied: "I have no doubt that some police stations will be closed."

Shropshire also has police stations in Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Pontesbury and two in Shrewsbury. There are stations without public service counters in Albrighton, Bishop's Castle, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Highley, Much Wenlock and Shifnal.

Telford & Wrekin has main police stations in Wellington and Malinsgate, plus sites without public service counters in Donnington, Madeley and Newport.

Mr Longmore said: "We are looking at the costs of running police stations.

"I shall always look to keep police stations open unless I cannot make a good case for doing so, but I can't rule anything in or out."

He said he intends to hold talks with estates bosses before Christmas and will consulting Chief Constable David Shaw on any changes.

He said one option could be for police to share sites with other public bodies, such as council offices.