Fed chair urging Government to step in to save iconic stations

25 October 2023

The chair of West Midlands Police Federation fears ‘losing iconic police stations in big towns’ across the region has the potential to undermine the local policing model the Force is currently striving to embed.

Rich Cooke’s comments came after it was announced earlier this week that West Midlands Police will be closing at least 30 of its police stations.

The reason behind such closures is to cut costs, with the Force revealing it needs to save £28 million in the current financial year, plus a further £21 million in 2024/25.

“In an ideal world, most, if not all, stations would remain open or be replaced,” said Rich, adding: “We believe that large towns like Sutton Coldfield and Willenhall, in the Black Country, losing their police stations - which are, at the end of the day, historic symbols of authority – is not what the public in those areas wants and needs.

Sutton Coldfield Police Station is one that is being relocated and the building sold.

“We’ve seen over a decade of devastating cuts to police infrastructure, driven ultimately by inadequate funding. This has, in many cases across England and Wales left gaping holes - quite literally - in the heart of our communities.

“Green Lane Station, in the centre of Walsall is one of the most striking examples - a pile of rubble next to the Magistrates’ Court at the centre of a major town. The main station is now in a neighbouring town of Bloxwich and members of the public must go there to find a front desk open to the public. I see it as a sad sign of civic decline and the continued denigration of a vital public service.”

It has been confirmed that 10 sites - which are being referred to as Public Contact Offices - will remain open across the region, but the likes of Balsall Green, Sutton Coldfield and Digbeth will see their stations relocated and the buildings sold.

Rich said he feels that many of the historic stations, including Digbeth, Birmingham city centre and those within smaller communities like Aldridge, Acocks Green and Handsworth are ‘beautiful buildings that are widely recognised’.

“They are iconic symbols within their communities, that have existed for many generations,” he added.

“Police stations bring multiple benefits to our communities, not only in terms of social order and cohesion but also economically, reassuring local business and custom. I believe there is a growing recognition of that, particularly in areas where we have already lost them. And it will be far more expensive to resurrect stations in the future.”

Acknowledging the tough financial pressures that Chief Constable Craig Guildford is facing, Rich said: “Of course, times do change and financial investment is required to sustain such architectural gems. The problem is now aggravated by the fact that the investment in maintenance and necessary upgrades has been neglected for so long, meaning the bill to bring them up to scratch is that much bigger.

“There are no easy answers, West Midlands is already short-changed by the funding formula to a significant degree.

“I believe we will long lament losing these urban jewels, to become what? Another set of posh apartments or ironically, a derelict magnet for drug addicts, dealers and anti-social behaviour as has happened in previous instances following closure?”

Rich is now calling on central Government to ‘step in and conserve’ these ‘traditional historic civic infrastructures’.

“It’s vital that the public have easy access to the police - within walking distance of their home or business - when they need us. This should be the vision for our communities. Sadly, this feels a far cry from the reality that we face.

“And what’s even more worrying is that we know poorer communities are disproportionately affected by crime, many of these stations exist in these areas.”

Rich explained how several years ago, he called for a ‘paradigm shift’ in police funding. This referred to a deeper recognition that the benefit of policing is not only about protecting members of the public and locking up criminals - as fundamental as they are - but it is as much about the police being part of communities ‘in a real way that boosts trust and confidence’.

He continued: “This provided positive incentives for both cops and the public. It links officers directly to the area they police, giving them a personal stake in community life.”

Rich, who believes savings could be made elsewhere, said: “We’re not against rationalisation of estates where appropriate and can be done elsewhere, which less impact on poorer crime-driven areas.

“Lloyd House [West Midlands Police Headquarters] is a prime example. It cost millions of pounds to renovate Lloyd House a few years ago while outer bases serving the public were allowed to effectively rot.

“It seems to us that this prime city centre real estate could be sold and the money redistributed to keep and refurbish more of our local bases.”

“We’re hearing the analogy ‘bricks or people’, but it should not have come to this.

“Ultimately, without the infrastructure, space and buildings to support both new and current colleagues within communities, our effectiveness could be inhibited.”

Rich said that while the Federation trusts the Chief Constable’s instincts, it feels ‘it is a shame these far-reaching decisions have apparently been forced by financial circumstances’.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “When I was elected, I pledged to rebuild community policing. I am pleased that we are able to announce, a range of new, retained and refurbished police buildings, as part of this estates’ strategy. This investment will ensure a police estate that is fit for the 21st century.

“The plan places significant importance on community policing and police officers, working in local communities, to prevent, tackle and reduce crime, to keep people, families, businesses and the local community safe and secure.

“Police stations are important because they provide a reassuring and visible presence for communities. This plan will ensure the region retains as many as possible, whilst prioritising maintaining police officer numbers and managing a budget, that remains under severe pressure.

“The new police estate, will strive to be greener and more sustainable than ever and I wholeheartedly support that.”