PCC John Campion has welcomed comments from communities as part of his consultation into the West Mercia Police estate.
The PCC’s draft estates strategy sets out proposed plans for police buildings over the coming years to provide a local and accessible police service for communities across West Mercia. The consultation, which ran for two months, gathered 197 responses.
Respondents answered a series of questions, these included whether they felt the proposed strategy would make it easier to access police services and the importance of reinvesting savings made on buildings into operational policing.
There were also opportunities for people to give their views on the strategy and on what they think the PCC should be prioritising.
56% of respondents disagreed that the strategy would make it easier to access police services. PCC John Campion is committed to improving the accessibility and visibility of police officers. In August, the PCC announced the number of police officers in West Mercia is set to reach the highest level in over a decade.
More than half of respondents (53%) agreed that savings made on buildings should be reinvested into frontline policing. A majority (78%) also agreed that police and partners should be working together, where possible, to achieve good value for money.
33% of people felt reassured that police stations would not be closed until an alternative had been provided and agreed with the community. PCC John Campion has made it clear that, no police stations in West Mercia will be closed unless a suitable replacement is available within the same community.
Answers to the free text questions covered a range of topics, including requests for more clarity on the new Northern Hub, the closure of Dines Green, South Wyre and Wellington police sites and concerns about the impact removing police stations could have on local crime and anti-social behaviour.
PCC John Campion said: “Thank you to everyone who completed my estates survey. I am the first ever police and crime commissioner to consult on their draft estate strategy, and I did so because I wanted you to have your say in how policing properties and infrastructure are being re-shaped to improve services you receive in the future.
“As the voice of the public in policing, I will continue to have conversations with West Mercia Police about their requirements and use all the feedback gathered through this consultation to shape the final estates strategy.”
