Julian Knight, local Member of Parliament, is encouraging Solihull Council to provide space within Shirley for a Police and Community Hub.
Following on from the announcement from the Police and Crime Commissioner that 28 stations across the West Midlands Police Force area, including the local police station at Shirley, are to be closed in the near future to provide £140 million in savings. The closure and sale of the Shirley Police Station will present the force with savings of £50,000 per year, as well as raising capital from the sale of the site.
Julian is leading discussions with the local council in an attempt to find a suitable space within a public building or area in Shirley to provide a Police and Community Hub. Such an initiative has been demonstrated successful in the past in areas, such as Warwickshire, to allow the police a space and base within the community.
Commenting on the proposal, Julian said:
“Shirley is a very special community and the police station is both a landmark and a point of reassurance to its residents. The closure of our police station is disturbing and upsetting, particularly as the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner is currently sitting on £100 million in reserves.
“It is important for the police, as well as the local community, that they can have a presence within Shirley for good relations and increased police visibility in the area. Police and Community Hubs have worked well elsewhere, and I believe that this could present an excellent opportunity for further integrated working between Solihull Council and the police.”