New police base opens in Aldridge fire station

Chief Constable Craig Guildford officially opened Aldridge's new West Midlands Police police base on Monday with the hopes of keeping officers closer to the community.

Located in Aldridge Fire Station, on Northgate, Aldridge, the building is now home to the Aldridge and Brownhills neighbourhood police teams.

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The force launched the new base with the goal of keeping officers in the heart of the communities they serve, while moving them closer to the part of the town which has a higher demand for their services.

Opening the facility, Chief Constable Guildford, who was joined by chief fire officers, said: "Operationally and financially, this was a decision made some time ago which I reviewed and endorsed as Chief Constable.

"It is the people we employ who help keep the community safe, not how many bricks we own.

"The new base retains a local presence in a much more cost-effective way for local partners and the public purse."

Officers moved into the station on September 1 following the disposal of their old base on Anchor Road.

The Anchor Road police base has been listed for closure since 2018, when the Police and Crime Commissioner agreed to the Chief Constable's recommendation to dispose of the site.

The decision to close the base was discussed with the public during an open-door meeting, with the plans being carefully scrutinised.

The cash from the sale of the building has been used for the move to the new Northgate location and to make changes to the inside of the fire station to make it suitable for police use, with the remaining funds being reinvested into into policing.

Simon Tuhill, chief fire officer for West Midlands Fire Service, said: "I’m confident this partnership will bring lasting benefits to our teams and the communities we serve. It will help both services optimise resources and reduce costs to improve service for our communities. 

“By working together, we also enhance our approach to risk management. Such cooperation means we can deliver faster, more integrated responses to incidents.

“It will foster a stronger understanding of each service’s operations, enabling more effective mutual support."

The new Aldridge police base brings the total West Midlands Police offices in West Midlands Fire Station to six.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: "I welcome the opening of this new police base in Aldridge, which delivers on my commitment to ensure the local Neighbourhood Policing Team remains within the community that it serves, which is exactly where it needs to be.

“By working in partnership with the fire service, we are ensuring that officers have modern, 21st-century, fit-for-purpose facilities that represent value for money and will deliver effective and efficient policing for the people of Aldridge. 

“This move is part of my commitment to rebuild community policing, to ensure an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence, to prevent and tackle crime and keep people, families, businesses and the local community safe and secure."