Thursday, November 17, 2022
NEWS Mine disaster is remembered Page 10
WALSALL EDITION
FEATURE Countdown on until Christmas Page 17
SPORT ‘Dales’ tales are brought to book Page 31
The region’s biggest free weekly newspaper Price when sold £1.20
REVIEW CALL ON POLICE STATIONS
The Black Country has just four remaining police stations with front desks open to the public, according to new figures. Over the last decade West Midlands Police has closed down 15 of the 19 stations with counters allowing the public to talk to officers, force data shows. It means the only stations open to the public across the four boroughs are West Bromwich, Bloxwich, Wolverhampton and Brierley Hill. Across the West Midlands 10 stations remain out of the 44 that were open in 2010. Nationally more than 200 stations have gone since 2015. The past seven years have seen many of the region’s stations either close or lined up for closure, despite opposition from local politicians and communities. They include Dudley, which shut down in 2017 and has been sold off and transformed into flats. Stourbridge police station has undergone a similar redevelopment since closing, while Halesowen’s station in Laurel Lane is in line to be sold off after its front desk closed six years ago. Wednesfield’s front counter closed in the same year, with the
Report by Peter Madeley
station on Alfred Squire Road due to shut for good in 2025. Last year West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster signed off on plans that would see the Black Country lose a further seven police buildings to secure £5 million in savings. He said the move would ensure that no more front desks would close to the public and that local officers would be “kept in their communities”. Sergeant Richard Cooke, West Midlands Police Federation chair, has called for a fresh review into the force’s estates to “ensure that no other stations are taken away”. He said that ideally there would be a police station “in every town and city in the West Midlands”. “Money is tight so I don’t expect any new ones to open,” he said. “So realistically we need to focus on maintaining the ones we have got and not selling them off. We can’t afford to lose any more stations.” His plea comes as Craig Guildford is due to take over as the force’s new Chief Constable next month. He has pledged to focus on neighbourhood policing.
Get into the festive spirit
West Midlands Metro workers will begin all-out strike action later this month. A total walkout is due to start on November 28 in a row over what union Unite called “poverty pay rates”. The strike is expected to cause disruption to commuters and shoppers throughout the Christmas period. The union has called on West Midlands mayor Andy Street to step in to resolve the dispute. A West Midlands Metro spokesman said: “We remain committed to finding a fair resolution.” West Midlands Combined Authority has been approached for comment.
Add to toy collections
Caroline Green and Joan Wright look forward to the Christmas fair People can get into the festive spirit at a Christmas fair this weekend. The annual event – admission is free – will be held at Rushall Parish Church on Leigh Road on Saturday from 11am. It will feature the sale
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of clothing, Christmas gifts, plants, jewellery, sweets and treats. Light refreshments will be available. Churchwarden Bob Barnard said: “We usually have a great turnout. All money raised will go towards the church.”
Toy enthusiasts can add to their collections at a fair in Walsall Wood this weekend. The Toy and Train Collectors Fair takes place at Oak Park Active Living Centre, Coppice Road, from 10am to 3pm on Sunday. Organisers and collectors, Geoff and Linda Price are expecting around 80 tables selling collectible cars, trains, commercials, buses, and other toys including action figures, Lego, jigsaws and books. Admission is £2 for adults, £1.70 for OAPs and £1 for children, with ample free parking available. Call 01922 643385 or see www. transtarpromotions.com
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