POLICE stations in Sedgley, Quinton and Oldbury are set to close in a bid to save £5 million.

The plan, which has yet to be finalised, would see 21 other properties owned or occupied by West Midlands Police released.

Only two of the buildings - in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield- are open to the public. The other 22 facing the axe are solely used as a base for officers and staff.

The sale of the buildings would see the force look to share more buildings with West Midlands Fire Service, councils and other partners while the savings would be used to improve remaining police buildings and protect 100 officer posts, according to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson.

Dudley News:

Mr Jamieson has vowed to ensure the sale of buildings benefits the wider community, adding: “With the sale of each building, I will be asking West Midlands Police to examine the benefits to the local community.

"I am committed to ensuring that the police buildings sold as part of this process create real social value, in addition to freeing up money to protect police officer posts.

"Our region, like other areas, is facing a housing crisis. I am keen that the under-occupied police buildings can make a contribution to addressing that, as well helping support employment and other services.”

Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said while she understood communities may "feel a connection to specific buildings", the majority have "high running costs, are poorly located and are not fit for future operational purposes".

She added: “The force’s ambition as we move forward is to ensure a high quality policing service to the people of the West Midlands.

“It’s important to remember policing is about people not buildings and it is vital we continue to question how much we invest in our estate and continue to maximise the service we provide to our communities.

“No police station will close until a new, more efficient public contact office opens in the local area."

Mr Jamieson will outline his proposals at a meeting of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board on Tuesday (February 20) and police chiefs will then hold a month-long 'engagement period' with their communities.

A final decision is expected to be made on March 20.