New police station has green light

A new police station for Bewdley is included in the latest West Mercia Police spending plans which will add an average £7.79 a year to taxpayers' bills in the region.

A budget of £192.7 million will see police get 4.49 per cent of the council tax bill.

It was agreed by members of West Mercia Police Authority yesterday.

The plans mean the average householder living in a three bedroomed semi-detached Band D property faces a rise equivalent to 15 pence extra each week.

The existing police station at Bewdley will be sold off to developers and there are also plans to replace the Bromsgrove Police Station.

Police authority members say the moves are part of plans to keep the number of officers at an historic high.

Costs of converting a police house into a base on the existing site at Bewdley are expected to be about £175,000 but selling off the existing station is expected to bring in £300,000.