Campaign over Market Drayton police station at risk of axe
People in a north Shropshire town are to start a campaign to save the local police station amid fears it will be shut down to save money.
It has been revealed that more than half of north Shropshire's five police stations could be axed because of tough savings targets. However, it is not yet known which of the stations in Oswestry, Wem, Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Ellesmere will be chosen for closure.
Despite this, residents in Market Drayton have taken to the internet to express their anger at the possibility of the station in Salisbury Road closing.
The £2.25 million eco-friendly building opened in December last year. At an opening ceremony in April Chief Constable David Shaw said it showed the force's 'commitment to invest in the community'.
Shropshire Councillor David Minnery began the calls for action on the Drayton Crier Facebook page.
He said: "Nobody will confirm if our police station is at risk so we have to assume that it is. No doubt those who commit the crimes will be very happy, but for the rest of us the prospect of no police station in one of the largest Shropshire towns should be unthinkable. Let's get campaigning now to stop this in its tracks."
Mr Minnery has said he wants 'to know more' about what's happening.
Shropshire's 23 police stations are under review in the face of £20 million spending cuts. West Mercia's new po-lice and crime commissioner, Bill Longmore, is to open talks with the force about running costs.
People in Market Drayton, went on to Facebook to comment on the issue.
Kylie Louise Neville wrote: "I would happily sign a petition, not only for concern of safety but the value of my house."
Tony Morris commented: "I can't see where any savings would be made in closing a brand new building. Surely it would still need to be heated and in some way monitored."
