"Coventry cops could be based in fire stations"

[dutchman]

Police in Coventry could be based in fire stations as part of efforts to cut costs.



Plans have been unveiled that could see neighbourhood teams in the north of the city moved to Radford Road Fire Station with existing police bases across the city being closed.

A long rumoured proposal to shut Coventry Central Police Station, in Little Park Street, also looks likely to be given the go ahead.

The review of police estates, which began last August, will be discussed at a meeting of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board on Thursday.

If approved later this year changes in Coventry will be introduced in two stages.

The first phase will see neighbourhood teams based in Tile Hill and Radford moving to other bases while police will also discuss re-provision and opportunities to share locations with Coventry City Council and the fire service.

The second phase could see Coventry Central Police Station in the city centre being shut. Police stations in Foleshill and Bell Green could also be closed.

It’s estimated that the changes could raise £3million.

The first phase proposals will see the Woodlands and Whoberley police teams moving out of the base in Tile Hill and into Canley Police Station.

Woodlands councillor Steven Thomas (Lab) urged the force to reconsider the plan – suggesting police could share facilities with another agency based in the ward.

He said: “There are parts of the patch that they cover that are nearly three miles from Canley Police Station.

“Clearly it is in the interests of the staff and the local community that the team are based somewhere that will allow them to be visible and somewhere people will know, if they have a problem, they are more likely to see a police officer.

“It’s reasonable to say that the people of Eastern Green, Tile Hill and Bannerbrook Park want their local police team to be visible.

“The easiest way to ensure that is for them to be based in the area they serve.”

Also moving are the Holbrooks, Radford, Bablake and Sherbourne police teams who are currently based in Radford. They will move to Foleshill or the city centre.

A report, set to be discussed at next Thursday’s meeting, states “visibility within the wards will not be impacted by this proposal and will be maintained through the local patrol strategies”.

The proposal will now be subject to a period of discussion with interested parties before finalised plans are discussed in December.

[rebbonk]

Interesting idea, but what about secure holding cells?

I also seen to remember that the court complex was built in its' present location for ease of access to the police station. - Is this no longer important after so few years?

Whilst I applaud any idea to cut costs, I think we ought see joined up thinking from the powers that be. I also think any cost cutting ought be to the benefit not the detriment of the community(ies) served.

But, I somehow doubt the thoughts of the majority or those most affected will be taken into account.

[dutchman]

Bell Green residents and shopkeepers demand a rethink over police station closure plan


Bell Green police station

Traders and residents in Bell Green have urged senior officers to reconsider a proposal that could see their police station shut.

The West Midlands strategic policing and crime board will meet today to discuss plans that could transform the police estate in Coventry - with several stations earmarked for closure.

Phase two of the proposal could see police from Foleshill, Bell Green and Radford moved out of their current bases and into West Midlands Fire Service’s Radford Road station.

It’s led to concern among Bell Green residents and traders who say the progress that’s been made in the last few months could be lost if police are moved three miles away.

Gavin Lloyd, chairman of the Traders Action Group for Riley Square, said former West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones had told them police would move into a the nearby library before his death.

He said: “There’s a protest group being formed already and petitions should be on the streets soon.

“Where’s the public consultation? I’m sure it will come at some point but at this stage we’ve had more information from the Telegraph than from the police.”

Mr Lloyd, who owns Loganberry’s cafe in Riley Square, heaped praise on his local police for taking a no-nonsense attitude towards troublemakers in the area.

He also revealed that traders are concerned progress will be lost if the nearby station shuts.

“It looks like we’ll be losing our police station,” he said. “The last thing we want to lose is our local police with it.

“The team we have hear have been great. If I have a problem I ring them.

“I had a burglary a while back. I spoke to the local police and we were open again the same day, they caught the toerags that did it and we got our stuff back.”

Janet Leadbeater, from the Bell Green Residents and Tenants Association, said: “We have had a lot of trouble in the square with drinkers and beggars and we’re only just getting on top of this with the help of the police.

“I feel it will go back to how it was without a constant police presence.

“Before any decision is made it needs to be thought long and hard about.”

Commander of Coventry Police, chief supt Claire Bell, said no decisions had been made on the future of the Bell Green station.

She said: “We’re reviewing all police owned and leased buildings looking at whether they are fit for purpose, their condition, long term cost of maintenance, and any opportunities to share facilities with partners.

“We have a series of formal and informal sessions over the next few weeks, running till early November, where we’ll seek to understand the impact of our proposals.

“No decisions on our estates portfolio will be made until we’ve heard from partners, community groups and residents and fed this back to the Police and Crime Commissioner for a decision.”

[dutchman]

Public will oppose closing Coventry police stations, police chiefs warned

Senior officers have been warned they face “aggro” over plans to shut police stations in Coventry.

Conservative Coventry councillor Tim Sawdon (pictured left) told a meeting of the West Midlands Strategic Policing and Crime Board this morning that there would be opposition to a proposal to close some stations and move officers to fire stations.

No decision was taken at the meeting, with Chief Supt Claire Bell saying that consultation work will start next week, with councillors being briefed on Monday.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said the public had to be aware of the situation police in the region face.

He said: “As a force we are constantly speaking about the inevitability that our estate will shrink. That has to be made absolutely clear – we are going to have to close a lot of buildings.”

This week the Telegraph revealed that police stations in Tile Hill and Radford could close and officers are talking to West Midlands Fire Service about moving some neighbourhood teams into Radford Road fire station.

The proposal has already met with opposition with councillors, residents and traders in some areas.

During today’s meeting senior officers and councillors called for clarity over closure proposals.

The report detailing police station plans makes frequent reference to “rationalising” force bases, and the region's new Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “If that means closure we should be bold enough to say that – the public need to know.”

The meeting heard that the force currently owns 140 buildings.

Mr Sims said: “That is more than we can afford or need.”

Mr Jamieson said: “We need to get that message out as a whole. If a station in a local area is affected people will want to know the precise reason why.”

Addressing Mr Jamieson on the issue of Coventry closures Coun Sawdon said: “There’s going to be aggro about it.

“It’s going to be much more in the public domain than any other decision you are going to take.”

Chief Supt Bell said that closure decisions had not been taken and Coventry Police’s entire estate hasn’t been looked at yet.

Councillors will be briefed about the plans on Monday evening.

The proposals will then be discussed at ward forums in the coming weeks as part of a consultation.