Police could be based at fire station once town base closes

Whitchurch's fire station in Bridgewater Street has been earmarked as a possible venue for a policing post in the town, according to West Mercia's police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore.

The town's current police station on Station Road is one of several across the county earmarked for closure as part of the force's attempts to save £30 million between April 2015 and 2018.

Mr Longmore visited Whitchurch earlier this month and inspected the fire station as an alternative base for police. No timescale has yet been established for confirming where the town's policing post will be based or when it would become operational.

Mr Longmore said the current police station was in need of repair and "not fit for our purpose".

Police stations in towns such as Ellesmere have shut completely as part of the spending cuts.

In others, such as Whitchurch, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Shifnal, and Newport, officers will work from community policing posts. The posts will be available for officers to use as required, although police will not be based at them permanently and they will not be open to the public.

Mr Longmore said: "We have to talk with the fire authority to see if we can come up with a suitable arrangement.

"It is in a good place, and the mayor and town councillors think it would be a good idea."

He said West Mercia's estates department would visit and see what the requirements were, and he hoped to be able to reach an agreement with the fire service.

"There is plenty of car parking there and enough space inside," said Mr Longmore. "I'd like it done as soon as possible."

He was due to meet the police force's states department soon to discuss the scheme.

Mr Longmore said the current police station is an old building, it is expensive to run and needs repairs.

"It may be considered for another use – but it is not fit for our purpose," he said.

He said that the move would not mean any loss of police presence in the town.

"I am mindful of the expansion in the number of houses being built in Whitchurch over the next few years, and there will be no reduction in police cover," he added.

Councillor Rob Hewson, mayor of the town, said he was fully supportive of police moving in to the fire station.

"I think it is a good idea. The important thing is we have a police presence in the town.

"There is plenty of space in there and it provides good access to get in and out of the town," he added.

Meanwhile, West Mercia Police is appealing for more people from the Whitchurch area to join up as special constables.

Mr Longmore said special constables play a crucial role in fighting crime and making streets safer.

"We want to recruit specials in the Whitchurch area that are people who are community minded and want to serve the people they live alongside," he said.

"I think this would be a great asset to the area, working alongside the existing officers. Whitchurch is expanding, so there is the need for this sort of additional presence if it can be provided. It's ideal for people who like working with other people and it's a fantastic opportunity to help improve the place where you live."