News is emerging that Willenhall Police Station has been earmarked for closure under plans drawn up by the Police Crime Commisioner for the West Midlands, Labour’s David Jamieson in order to raise £500,000 and cut £170,000 a year in running costs. Under the plans most operations at Willenhall’s John Street station will be transferred to Darlaston. 

Commenting on Labour’s plans for local Policing, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Willenhall North Ian Shires said ” Obviously I am disappointed to hear that there are plans to close Willenhall’s Police Station. But the real issue is the way in which this decision has been arrived at. I’m a local councillor and the first I heard of this was via the Express and Star! It’s no wonder people feel divorced from the decision making process!

“Willenhall has an Area Partnership (one of six across Walsall) currently under Labour control. Yet not once has the Labour Police Crime Commisioner (PCC) sought to put options to the people of Willenhall on the future shape of Policing across the area.

“Over the Summer, Liberal Democrats in Short Heath and New Invention have carried out a Summer Survey through their regular FOCUS newsletters. Concerns highlighted in the many responses we had put crime and the fear of crime top of most people’s list. Closing Willenhall’s Police Station in this fashion does nothing to calm those fears.”

The question of how this will affect local policing will be raised by Ian this evening with Police at our regular monthly joint Councillor/Police Surgery ahead of any talks there might be with Labour’s PCC.