FIVE police stations across Dudley borough are set to be closed over the next two years as West Midlands Police aim to save £8.5 million.

The force is proposing to move out of 28 buildings across the region, including Dudley, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Netherton and Stourbridge.

An estimated £8.5m of savings from moving out of the buildings comes at a time when West Midlands Police has to reduce its overall budget by £130 million by 2020.

The force will present the proposals to the Police and Crime Commissioner at his Strategic Police and Crime board on Tuesday, October 6.

If they are given approval, a spokesperson said that “a range of engagement activity will take place to ensure we share the proposals with key groups in our communities before a decision is made”.

In the proposals being presented to the PCC, plans are also being outlined to reduce the amount of buildings by 68 over the next five years.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “As the cuts continue to bite we are faced with some really tough decisions.

“The Government has consistently continued to disproportionately cut funding in the West Midlands and the challenge is how we maintain the service that the public comes into contact with.

“I will wait to hear the full report from West Midlands Police on this in early October but my view is that we must do all we can to support officer numbers.

“If that can be achieved by reducing the police estate further then that should be given serious consideration.”

The 28 buildings earmarked for closure are currently either storage facilities, or used as administrative bases by police officers. Teams based at the locations will move to other police buildings within their local policing area.