Police pledge over compulsory redundancies

It was announced by West Mercia Police last week that some towns will see the counter service at their police stations axed and replaced with "contact points" where the police can be connected via telephone intercom.

Others are set to see reduced opening hours, which has caused concern about how easy it will be to report crimes. And having already cut 200 jobs in a bit to save £20.1m by 2015, many feared the changes would be coupled with more job losses.

But today police said everything would be done to avoid compulsory redundancies, with staff instead being offered alternative roles.

Natasha Kaur, of West Mercia Police, said: "We recognise the huge contribution our staff make to protect people from harm and they are being fully consulted alongside union representatives.

"There are enough staff posts available in the new structure for all our front counter permanent employees to be retained and therefore we hope to minimise redundancies."

From September 1, the towns that will no longer see front counter provision but new contact points are Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury Town, Wellington, Wem and Whitchurch.

And whilst the closures are helping police to operate within the tighter financial restraints, it has been promised that local Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be increasing their "visibility and accessibility" in places where there is no longer counter service.

Shrewsbury police station's front counter in Monkmoor will have its opening hours reduced and will be open from 8am to 4pm weekdays, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

But Telford police station has escaped cuts with its front counter service remaining open from 8am-8pm six days a week and from 10am-4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Chief superintendent Amanda Blakeman, who has led the review into public contact and front counter provision, claimed that the changes come after seeing a drop in the number of people using the services.

She said: "Our review will close some public counters across West Mercia but our analysis of demand has provided evidence which has allowed us to take these steps without impacting the level of service enjoyed by communities."

The plans have been met with anger from some MPs and councillors, who believe the changes could have a negative effect on policing.

Whitchurch mayor Rob Hewson said the changes could particularly affect older people, whilst Market Drayton mayor Tim Beckett highlighted the fact that not everybody has access to social media and many have difficulties over the phone.