Fire station rent move for police
A town's police station will close and officers will move into rooms at a nearby fire station.
Police in Tenbury Wells will soon be based in the fire station at Burford, it has been revealed. West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore said plans are at an "advanced stage" for the move, which will mean the area can retain a police presence.
Tenbury Wells police station was first earmarked for closure in 2013, but Mr Longmore said he insisted it must remain until an alternative base was found for officers.
Police will rent space at the fire station, an arrangement made possible as space has been freed up at the station due to cuts made by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Mr Longmore said having the two services in the same building made sense. "It is a model that we are seeing used in other places and there is sense in having the emergency services based in the same place," he said.
He said it was the most suitable of the various options considered.
"When I was a policeman, there would be queues of people at police stations. However, that has changed and there is no need for the police to have their own building in every town.
He added: "It has all taken too long but I am pleased that we now have a solution that can work for the town."
