PCC announces closure of 10 police stations - Lib Dems react

The Police and Crime Commissioner has issued notice that 10 police stations in Birmingham will be closed in summer 2025. Acocks Green, Balsall Heath, Kings Heath, Shard End, Sutton Coldfield, Sutton Coldfield Anchorage Road, Harborne, Digbeth, Handsworth and Steelhouse Lane.

Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Roger Harmer responded by saying “Naturally I’m disappointed to see Acocks Green on the list. We managed to fend off closure following a successful local campaign in 2018, so it is disappointing to see that there is no consultation. The press release doesn’t include details of the location of new teams. I have written to Simon Foster to seek clarification, and I will campaign to ensure the neighbourhood policing team remains based in Acocks Green.”

 “Looking at the city, it’s a bleak picture. The loss of 10 police stations is bound to impact local communities. Sutton Coldfield looks exposed.

“This comes just before a huge cost cutting exercise at Birmingham City Council gets underway. We anticipate that there will be proposals to close libraries, community centres and other municipal buildings.”

“What we are seeing, is serious erosion of public spaces. We call on the council and the police to work together and ensure that people have access to some form of municipal building. These buildings are crucial to communities.”

Cllr Izzy Knowles, a former police officer, said “It’s good to hear that Moseley’s police station is staying open, but I’m disappointed to hear that Kings Heath will close. It was a key part of the community for many years. Having local officers in the neighbourhood makes people feel safe and reassured. It’s a bad idea to close Sutton Coldfield.”

“The police service needs to get back to local accountability. Neighbourhood teams need to know what’s going on, and investigation teams need a local connection, otherwise they are less likely to take ownership of cases.”

Liberal Democrats believe in the importance of local policing, and neighbourhood teams are crucial to this. We understand that the force needs to modernise, but this announcement is missing crucial details, and appears to put neighbourhood policing at risk. We will fight to ensure that it local services are protected.