Police set for move to £2m base

A more central base is set to be created for police covering South Staffordshire at a cost of £2 million to make it easier for the public to find.

Watling Street Neighbourhood Policing Unit is currently based in converted stables at Hilton Hall, near Cheslyn Hay, but could move to Gailey.

The new premises would also house the custody facility currently at Cannock.

The unit polices villages including Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Huntington, Penkridge, Featherstone and Essington but concern has been voiced about its base being tucked away in such a secluded spot.

Watling House in Gailey, a former 13-bed secure behavioural unit which closed last summer, has been touted as a likely new base. A total of £2 million has been earmarked by Staffordshire Police Authority to pay for the creation of the new facility.

Changes are also in store for policing in Cannock with plans to plough £400,000 into Cannock Police Station with £290,000 being spent in 2008-9 and £100,000 the following year.

The old magistrates court buildings in Queen Street which have been branded an eyesore would be demolished to make way for more parking for the station.

The projects are included in the police authority's capital programme for the next two years, due to be discussed at a meeting today. Carol Evans, spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police, said the force's entire estate had been reviewed following the arrival of new chief constable Chris Sims.