Closure of Shropshire police stations saves force £1 million - and Whitchurch next to be sold

The figure is made up of annual savings in expensive running costs and cash made by selling or leasing the buildings - and comes as it was announced one more is to shut with two more to possibly follow.

West Mercia Police crime commissioner Bill Longmore confirmed, as long suspected, that Whitchurch police station was to be sold off, with the force currently looking for another location in the town to share a building with Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The move will save police more than £60,000 a year in running costs and comes after it was announced Shifnal police station was shutting earlier this month.

Mr Longmore said talks were also ongoing about the future of Bridgnorth police station as well as the police counter service in Shrewsbury town centre near Riverside shopping centre. If both go it would generate further annual savings of almost £120,000.

Since 2013 bases at Albrighton, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Ellesmere, Newport, Much Wenlock and Shifnal have either been sold off or leased out.

The stations at Newport, Ellesmere and Craven Arms have been sold for a total of £620,000, with Shifnal police station also set to be sold on. Stations at Albrighton, Cleobury Mortimer and Much Wenlock are being leased out for unknown sums.

Figures show the closures have resulted in annual savings of £152,153 for running costs.

Local neighbourhood officers have been moved to new "community policing posts" in town halls, libraries, markets, schools and other public buildings.

For Bridgnorth, Mr Longmore said various options were being considered for "both the medium and long term".

He said there was still a possibility the base in Wenlock Road could stay open but it was dependent on a "number of factors". If it was closed it would save £94,613 a year in running costs, Mr Longmore said.

For Shrewsbury, the force is currently looking for a suitable alternative. If found, it will save nearly £20,000 a year in running costs. Shrewsbury's main police station will be unaffected.

Mr Longmore said in all three cases - Whitchurch, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury - none would be shut until adequate replacements had been found in the towns.

The police chief said: "I believe very strongly in community policing, and the police need to be a part of the areas they serve.

"But community policing isn't about bricks and mortar.

"It's about people, and the relationships, mutual trust and respect you build up with them, and I want to make sure we can continue to see officers and PCSOs as part of the communities they serve.

"That is why we have made sure that where police stations have had to close, we are replacing them with alternatives - like community policing posts - to make sure each area still has a strong, visible police presence."