THE police station in Warndon, Worcester, is to remain open. The station in Cranham Drive was saved because it was judged to be in the best possible place for fighting crime in the community.

The building, shared with Worcester Community Housing, will also retain a larger upstairs office as a base for Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs).

West Mercia Police announced in July 2013 that officers based in Warndon would be relocated and that they were in discussions with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to co-locate. However, the decision to retain the police post at Warndon was based on accessibility for the local community with Warndon, Gorse Hill, Rainbow Hill and Batthenall and Nunnery SNTs now based at the police station there.

A number of initiatives to make best use of shared resources are ongoing, including the recently opened police and fire station on Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Morgan said: “Safer Neighbourhood Teams play a vital role in keeping the community safe from harm. It is very important they are based in a suitable place for them to work from, so I am pleased these officers will continue to be based in the area, to investigate crime, carry out local patrols and be a visible presence.”

Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, said: “We know that the visibility of our officers is important to residents, therefore I am pleased that the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams will continue to have a base within the community.”

Alan Amos, county councillor for Gorse Hill & Warndon and a city councillor for Warndon, welcomed the decision to keep it open.

Cllr Amos said : "It is a tremendous result and comes after many months of hard effort working with senior police officers behind the scenes. I would like to thank them for the strong support they have given me in the battle to keep the police station open.

"I strongly opposed the plan to close it. The lack of a police station on Cranham Drive would have severely undermined the battle against crime and left local people feeling abandoned and doubting the police's commitment to the area. It was one of my top priorities to keep it open."