Three Coventry police stations could close in major cost-cutting shake-up

[dutchman]

The site in Canley will close and the stations in Bell Green and Willenhall could follow suit



Three of Coventry's five police stations could close as part of a huge cost-saving shake-up by West Midland Police.

The force intends to close its site in Canley with the neighbourhood team relocating to a new custody block in the city to be built by spring 2024.

And the future of the stations in Bell Green and Willenhall are 'under review' as the force considers it options.

The station in Bell Green looks almost certain to go given that 'current leased provision may be subject to local shopping centre redevelopment'.

No dates as to when Bell Green and Willenhall might close have yet been given.

The new Eastern Custody Block will act as a Neighbourhood Team base and house office space for corporate functions while there are plans to potentially rebuild the station in Foleshill by winter 2025.

Coventry Central, in Little Park Street, will be retained though excess land will be disposed of to leave a smaller site accommodating Neighbourhood Teams and a Response and Public Contact Office.

West Midlands Police says reform of its entire estate, across Birmingham Wolverhampton, Solihull and the Black Country, in addition to Coventry, will deliver £5 million of savings each year that will safeguard around 100 officer jobs.

It will also save the force an estimated £24 million in repairs to its ageing buildings whilst ensuring 'every part of the West Midlands maintains a public contact office where people can report crimes and speak directly to the police'.

Dedicated officers who respond to calls for help from the public, such as 999, will in future work from Coventry Central, Chelmsley Wood, Bournville Lane, Park Lane, Stechford, Wolverhampton, Dudley, and Bloxwich.

The plans, designed to help WMP’s portfolio become greener and more sustainable, form Chief Constable Sir David Thompson's assessment of what is needed to provide an efficient and effective police service.

[dutchman]

The plans, designed to help WMP’s portfolio become greener and more sustainable