Sutton Coldfield’s newly redeveloped police station opened today to serve the community for years to come.
Existing police buildings on the Anchorage Road side of the site have now been redeveloped with the addition of a former small business property next door.
This has created a bespoke new location for neighbourhood teams, emergency response officers, local crime investigators, offender management and other policing functions which were dispersed around the site previously.
One of the key developments was the creation of a public contact office where people can talk to West Midlands Police if they prefer face-to-face rather than telephone and online options.
Cash from the sale of the old site – which will also pay for the new station – will be reinvested into policing, safeguarding officer numbers and services at a time when budgets are under continued pressure locally and nationally. The sale of the surplus buildings on the Lichfield Road side of the site provides good value for the public purse and local people.
The old station cost over of £500,000 each year to run, excluding annual maintenance costs and essential upgrades such as those needed to its 66-year-old heating system as well as critical safety and security systems.
The decision to close the former station on Lichfield Road was made in March 2018 following careful scrutiny at a public meeting of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
As part of that decision, a pledge was made to maintain a police presence in the town.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, said: “I am pleased to be delivering on my pledge, that will see the opening of Sutton Coldfield’s newly redeveloped police station. It is a facility that is modern, efficient and fit for 21st century policing. It delivers on my commitment to rebuild community policing and ensure an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence in the town.
“This new station is a crystal-clear illustration of my commitment to local people. It provides a base for neighbourhood teams, emergency response officers and investigators, whilst also providing a public contact office, so residents can attend in person and speak to officers face-to-face.
“When the decision was made to dispose of the very costly, under-occupied and unfit-for-purpose Lichfield Road buildings, I pledged that, despite the significant financial pressures on the West Midlands Police budget, as a consequence of years of reckless financial cuts to policing, Sutton Coldfield would retain its police presence – and today, I have delivered on that commitment.
“The new police station is more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable. It provides better value for money for the taxpayer and it also ensures that officers are better equipped to serve the community.
“I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that policing in Sutton Coldfield – and across the West Midlands – remains based in our communities, committed and dedicated to preventing and tackling crime and keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.”
Chief Constable Craig Guildford added: “I’m pleased with the redevelopment which was delivered on time. The old station was largely vacant due the way we work in the 21st century and my commitment to keep officers out of the streets serving their communities. The building was also very expensive to run.
“Instead, we made use of the land and buildings we already had, and thanks to the purchase of an adjoining property, we’ve been able to create good, modern facilities for our officers and a public contact office.
“There’s no doubt that the redeveloped footprint is smaller than the old facility but there is no reduction in officer numbers serving the town. It is people with the right skills and equipment which keep people safe, not bricks and expensive empty rooms which cost a fortune to heat and maintain.”
The independent website crimerate.co.uk shows that Sutton Coldfield is one of the safest places in the West Midlands.
Current priorities for police in the area include reducing business crime, stopping anti-social behaviour and increasing their visibility.
Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce, responsible for policing across the whole of Birmingham, including Sutton Coldfield, said: “The new station keeps my officers in the heart of the communities they serve.
“They are laser-focused on working with partners to prevent and detect crime, to keep people safe. Their job is made easier thanks to the support of locals who appreciate their hard work and dedication.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner owns all West Midlands Police buildings. The Chief Constable is responsible for how the force use those buildings, to enable police officers to keep people safe.
The decision to acquire or dispose of sites is made by the PCC, based on operational policing recommendations made by the Chief Constable. The recommendations are fully scrutinised in public meetings with the relevant documents published on the PCC’s website.
To keep up to date about policing in your area, sign up to WMNow, West Midlands Police’s free messaging service. Visit: wmnow.co.uk
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