Concerns over police station future

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CONCERNS over the possible closure of town’s police station have been raised by Droitwich Town Council leader Ken Jennings.

The Conservative group leader has called for an urgent meeting with Bill Longmore, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to discuss the future of the Ombersley Road site.

Coun Jennings spoke out after fears were raised that smaller police stations such as Droitwich in the West Mercia force area could be axed as part of cost-saving plans.

The rumours were sparked following publication of West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore’s Draft Police and Crime Plan which sets out the future of policing in the area.

But Coun Jennings said the rumours of the town’s police being controlled from Worcester or Bromsgrove were ‘cause for concern’.

“A town the size of Droitwich needs its own police station with locally based officers who have a detailed knowledge of the local community,” he said.

“We need a locally based police force who will be able to respond speedily in an emergency. I hope that these rumours will prove to be unfounded.”

His concerns were echoed by Droitwich’s MP Peter Luff who labelled any potential plans to close the police station as ‘unacceptable’

“There is an emphasis in the plan on neighbourhood policing, on empowering local communities and on pubic engagement.

“I welcome these but they would all be seriously undermined in Mid-Worcestershire should the closure of Droitwich police station be proposed.

“Any such closure would be unacceptable to the communities affected and I trust the rumours circulating are without foundation,” he added.

In response, Bill Longmore, said: “The estate will be looked at but any changes will be designed to maximise the effectiveness of police service provision.

“No decisions on estate changes have yet been made but revision and modernisation of the estate has always been a regular process,” he added.

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