DROITWICH Police Station will be retained but the front counter will not be returning, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has revealed.
The station was under threat because of funding cuts and it was thought a new site would be found for the police in a bid to reduce operating and maintenance cuts.
But now a suitable partner organisation has come forward to share the base and the associated costs with Droitwich Police, making it cost-effective enough to retain the station for the forseeable future. And the new arrangement will save West Mercia Police £30,000-a-year.
There will also be no changes to the way the station is used by the police – the Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to use it as their deployment base, and the number of officers serving Droitwich will remain exactly the same.
But, front-counter services will not be reinstated. Instead, an intercom system will still be available at the site for the public to contact the police control centre quickly and directly.
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore said: “The goal here has always been about securing the best possible value for money, whilst maintaining levels of service to the public.
“The police were always going to keep their presence in Droitwich, but it was clear that we had to find a new way of delivering that, because we couldn’t justify the costs as they stood.
“I am very pleased that we have been able to come to this arrangement. It means absolutely no upheaval for the police or the public, but delivers significant savings for local taxpayers. It’s a very positive thing for everyone.”
Supt Kevin Purcell, the local policing commander for south Worcestershire, said he was delighted the Commissioner had supported the local police presence in Droitwich – one of South Worcestershire’s major towns.
“This decision keeps us centrally based in the town centre and allows us, in line with his wishes and that of Chief Constable David Shaw, to be visible and available locally to deal with local policing needs.”
Coun Gerry O’Donnell, Wychavon District Council’s portfolio holder with responsibility for community safety and policing matters, also welcomed the news.
