West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, meeting officers on the streets of Smethwick
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, is pleased to announce Smethwick police base has been saved from closure after new plans to retain the site are agreed.
The adjoining buildings were due to be put up for sale. However, it has now been confirmed that the site – a former courthouse between Piddock Road and Crocketts Lane – will be retained as a police base for up to 80 local police officers.
Earlier last year, Chief Constable Craig Guildford – who is responsible for how West Midlands Police use their buildings – recommended that the force retained part of the Smethwick site. This followed a review of data, including response times, local crime rates, arrest figures and other information.
The original Smethwick police station building on Piddock Road is no longer fit for purpose and will be advertised for sale later this year. Links between the station building and former courthouse will be cut, making them two separate and secure sites, with the latter to be home to local police teams.
PCC Simon Foster, who owns West Midlands Police stations and bases, said: “As part of my commitment to continue to rebuild community policing, I am pleased to announce that West Midlands Police will now retain a police base in Smethwick.
“Part of the building will be retained and part disposed of. The proceeds from the part disposed of will be re-invested into the new police base and front-line policing.
“This will ensure the Neighbourhood and Response Teams remain within the community they serve, which is exactly where they need to be. The new police base will be fit for the 21st century, it will be a more effective and efficient use of police resources and ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
“All of that will mean West Midlands Police will be better placed to prevent and tackle crime, keep people, families, businesses and the local community safe and secure and it delivers on my pledge to continue to re-build community policing.”
The retained base in Smethwick will be home to 24/7 emergency response officers and two neighbourhood police teams and PCSOs who will continue to oversee the town.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, responsible for policing across the whole of Sandwell, said: “This is great news for local people and our hardworking officers who have strong connections with the town.
“The decision to split the site is innovative. It allows us to maintain a base in the town, work from a smaller site that is better suited to the number of people working there and reduces our expenses.
“The money raised from the sale of the unoccupied part of the building means the project is self-funding, with the extra put back into policing.”
You can find out more about our buildings and our plans for them at: westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk