Police Station Closure: Sutton Coldfield

In the House of Commons adjournment debate on the proposed closure of the Royal Sutton Coldfield police station, the Member of Parliament for Sutton Coldfield, Mr Andrew Mitchell, passionately argued against the closure. He emphasized the importance of a fully equipped, proactive, and professional police station in a town of over 100,000 inhabitants, which also hosts a major new housing development. Mr Mitchell stressed the need for core policing, with a 24/7 response, locally based officers, and a criminal investigation department that can focus on locally reported crimes. He argued that the residents of Sutton Coldfield, who pay £8 million into the police precept annually, deserve these policing services, and that the estimated running cost of £303,000 for the current station represents less than 4% of the annual local police precept. The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, acknowledged the importance of a strong local police presence and the Government's commitment to restoring neighborhood policing. However, she emphasized that decisions about police stations are ultimately matters for the operationally independent police and crime commissioner and chief constable. The Minister informed the House that while the current police station is listed for sale, it remains operationally open, and a new, smaller police station will be located adjacent to the existing building. She stated that the current building is only 20% occupied, and the new station will house the response team, neighborhood policing teams, and criminal investigation teams, and will be open to the public. In an intervention, Mr Mitchell argued that the proposed three dilapidated houses at the back of the current station would not provide the full police presence that the royal town and adjacent areas require. He urged the Minister to reflect back to the police and crime commissioner the importance of engaging with the local community, which he has not done.