THE WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) office has confirmed to the Standard that Rubery Police Station will not be closing as it stated in its initial Estates Strategy report.
We ran a story on our website yesterday about the proposed shake-up of West Mercia Police’s buildings which sparked outrage from Rubery’s district councillor Peter McDonald who branded the move as ‘crass stupidity’.
But West Mercia PCC John Campion’s office said the initial confusion was caused by an administrative error and confirmed the station would be retained as part of his masterplan to provide the most efficient and effective buildings infrastructure from which to serve its communities.
A spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise for an error that, understandably, would have caused concern.
“Some of the tables within the draft estates strategy had shifted, which showed Rubery as being replaced with a mobile police station.
“However, I can confirm that it is being retained.
“The estates strategy has since been updated and the PCC will continue consulting on this document until the end of July.”
Coun McDonald, who had started a petition to save the station, welcomed the news.
He said: “I, like others, was shocked to read in the initial report that Rubery Station would be closing.
“I want to thank everyone who had already signed the petition which now seems like a remarkable success.”
The Estates Strategy is reviewing all of West Mercia Police’s buildings and, among Mr Campion’s proposals to meet targets by 2030, is the disposal of Redditch’s current police station in favour of a new ‘blue light hub’ on Middle House Lane in the town to be shared with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS).
Bromsgrove’s own hub, again shared with HWFRS, will be retained as will police stations in Droitwich, Malvern and Worcester.
Policing in Wythall will be out of a new shared base.
Residents can see the proposals and share their views with the commissioner by visiting westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/estate-strategy and completing a short online survey before the end of July.
Residents can see the proposals and share their views with the commissioner by visiting westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/estate-strategy and completing a short online survey before the deadline on July 11.
“If there is anything in this strategy you want to bring to my attention, then I am open to your views,” Mr Campion said.
