A LEADING councillor has voiced his fears over the future of policing in the Warndon area of Worcester – insisting it is “vital” the cuts are not too deep.

Councillor Alan Amos said he was “very concerned” about the proposed closure of Warndon’s shopfront police base.

In a plan put together by chief constable David Shaw, West Mercia Police wants to close 11 bases and relocate up to another 20 to save £1.5 million by 2015.

The Police and Crime Plan, published by West Mercia’s elected police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore, includes closing the base in Cranham Drive, but says the force will hunt for an alternative site in Warndon.

The plan, which has been open to public consultation, also looks to merge the safer neighbourhood policing teams in Gorse Hill and Rainbow Hill, although it says the cuts to officer numbers is unknown.

Coun Amos has attended a meeting with the force to outline his fears. He said: “To close a police station in a priority area, where it is recognised that it is needed most, is stupidity. I am pleased the police took my concerns seriously. I emphasised that our police station is the vital hub for local community policing.

“I am cautiously hopeful that we will retain a police station albeit not necessarily to the same standard.”

He was also told the force will review the planned merger of the police teams over the coming weeks.

West Mercia Police say the cuts are part of enforced savings totalling £20.1 million that need to be made by 2015.

They say the “tough financial challenge” is due to reduced public sector funding and the austerity drive.

A spokesman said: “Crime levels are down and we are confident we will be able to deliver local policing across the new Gorse Hill and Rainbow Hill safer neighbourhood team (SNT) area to the same standard as two separate SNTs.

“There will continue to be a visible policing presence through a single SNT, whose officers will carry on the vital role they play in keeping the community safe from harm.”

He said as the area was still a police priority it could get extra resources such as police community support officers but no decision has been made on numbers yet.