Shropshire police station open hours could be cut

Police chiefs will decide today whether to slash opening hours at all public service desks in stations across Shropshire, as the force faces cuts of £5million in the coming year.

The West Mercia Police Authority meets this afternoon over plans to revise the opening hours for 31 public service counters across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

If the revised plans are accepted, it will mean shorter opening hours for the public at stations in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, Wem, Telford and Wellington.

But police chiefs stressed there were no plans to make any staff redundant as part of the changes, which would come into force between March and May if approved.

The public service desk in Telford and at Shrewsbury police station in Monkmoor could be closed two hours earlier on a Saturday and have its Sunday openings reduced by eight hours.

In Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Market Drayton, desks would be shut on Mondays and face alterations for the rest of the week. Where opening hours are reduced alternative services will be provided including phone links and information stands of crime prevention materials.

The planned changes at West Mercia Police are part of efficiency savings as the force tries to save millions of pounds in reduced budgets for the coming year.

Sheila Blagg, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, said: "West Mercia Police Authority and the force are committed to delivering efficient and effective policing.

"We face further budget reductions in 2012/13 and have addressed these by seeking to improve efficiency while maintaining front line police officer services. Front counter opening hours form part of our plans for improved efficiencies."