Chief urged to review Shropshire police desk closures

A motion is set to be discussed by members of Wellington Town Council next week calling on Bill Longmore to rethink his cost-cutting plans to close the front desk at Wellington Police Station.

Mr Longmore has pledged to find ways for people to be able to access police officers at a local level.

Wellington is one of nine Shropshire front counters which shut on Monday and were replaced with "contact points" where people can connect to a police call taker 24/7 via telephone intercom. The move is West Mercia force area-wide and in response to the Government slashing police budgets.

Front counters have also been closed in Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Wem and Whitchurch.

In other changes, front counter services hours have been reduced at Shrewsbury Police Station. Front counter services have remained the same at Malinsgate Police Station in Telford.

The motion to be discussed by Wellington Town Council on Tuesday has been tabled by town councillor Graham Cook.

It states: "The council is concerned to hear that we are losing public access to Wellington Police Station.

"While we recognise that there have been cuts by Government to police budgets, we feel that this is an important facility for the safety and security of all our residents in Wellington and therefore call on Bill Longmore to reverse this decision."

Councillor Cook, who represents the Haygate ward on the town council, said: "It is concerning to hear that we are losing public access to Wellington Police Station. There have been cuts by the Government to police budgets but we feel that this particular facility enhances the safety and security of all residents in Wellington."

Councillor Lee Carter, who represents the College ward, said: "It is terrible that Government cuts even extend to facilities which are invaluable to some of the most vulnerable in our community which, by the way, has one of the largest populations in Shropshire.

"While I am sure both the police and the commissioner have probably taken this course of action reluctantly, I would urge them to think again and provide points of the contact with the police that are suitable for all."

Mr Longmore, said: "The police must be accessible to people. I am keen to explore how we can continue to do this in a way that suits the different communities we have in West Mercia, whilst making the most of the resources we have."