Dines Green Police Post closure risk 'deadly serious' says Udall

Cllr Richard Udall won unanimous backing for a motion to block any move to close Dines Green Police Post at a full meeting of Worcester City Council earlier this month.

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The Labour councillor was reacting to a wider estates strategy by the police and crime commissioner, John Campion, to make best use of West Mercia's buildings and save public money.

LEADER: Police and crime commissioner John Campion.

One option put on the table during the public consultation, which has now ended, was the possible closure of the Burleigh Road base and its replacement by a mobile police station.

Mr Campion responded to a challenge by Cllr Udall to spend a shift alongside officers who used the post to see the value of the work they do.

The Conservative said he already regularly spent time with policing teams, including in Worcester.

OPPOSITION: Cllr Richard Udall made his feelings clear at full council and believes many people in St John's feel the same way

The police and crime commissioner also said there were 'no immediate plans to close Dines Green police station' and that he was seeking feedback from communities before making any decisions.

He added: "Unfortunately, this has become “a storm in a teacup”, whipped up by Councillor Udall in his seemingly never-ending search for publicity.”

VALUED: The Dines Green police post in Burleigh Road, Dines Green

Cllr Udall, defending his stance, said: “I’m happy to be criticised by the police commissioner, it means I’m doing my job.

"The risk of losing a police station in St John’s, as proposed by his consultation document, is not 'a storm in a teacup' especially not to the residents of west Worcester or to the local police officers who serve the area, it's deadly serious.

"It’s a proposal which would significantly damage the local infrastructure, undermine his own policing plan and cause stress and distress locally.

"In an already deprived community, removing police services is simply not acceptable, it’s a cut too far.

"However, he has the power to make it a “storm in a tea cup”, he can admit the proposal is wrong, agree with Worcester councillors from across the political spectrum and remove his proposals and meet with all west Worcester councillors to see how we can all help to improve the police service provision in St John’s, we are all open to constructive discussion."