HALESOWEN Police Station is set to be closed by West Midlands Police Force.

The station's state-of-the-art cell block is already moth-balled and its public desk was closed earlier this year.

In the last four years the town has lost its magistrates court, fire station, ambulance station and now faces the closure of its police station.

Halesowen & Rowley Regis MP, James Morris, has said he will be fighting the proposed closure which will need to be signed off by Police and Crime Commissioner.

James Morris MP said: “West Midlands Police need to get their priorities straight. They are spending £33 million on refurbishing Lloyd House in Birmingham while proposing to close Halesowen Police Station. These proposals do not make sense, and I will be fighting them tooth and nail.

"I have set up a petition which local people can sign online, and paper versions will also be available. Halesowen needs to stand together in challenging these proposals.”

West Midlands Police has recently been criticised for paying over 5 times the amount as other forces on other equipment. Data published by the Government for the first time showed the West Midlands force paid £16.48 each for belts - while other forces bought them for as little as £3.30.

There has also been reports of some officers receiving £33,000 in overtime payments.

James Morris MP is also calling on Police and Crime Commissioner to come clean on the forces budget. In the last Police Annual Accounts West Midlands Police had £179 million worth of usable reserves, and underspent by over £7 million pounds.

He added: “This is further evidence that the proposed station closures are a politically motivated and cynical move by the Commissioner just before his election next year. Residents will remember who is behind these closures and the blame lies firmly at the door of the Labour Police Commissioner."

Local Halesowen South councillor, David Vickers, and a former police officer in Halesowen station said: “Halesowen’s police station is an important local service which many people rely on and I had the privilege to work in. West Midlands Police need to spend their money more effectively to provide a proper neighbourhood policing service which people can rely and trust in.”

The police are hoping to save £8.5m by moving out of 28 buildings across the West Midlands, including the Laurel Road station in Halesowen.

Michele Larmour, force lead for local policing, said: “Many of these sites have been part of the police estate for a number of years and as such, we understand local communities may feel a connection to specific buildings. However many of our buildings have high running costs, are poorly located and are not fit for future operational purposes.

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

“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. None of these sites are open to the public and it’s important to remember policing is about people not buildings."

A ‘Save Halesowen’s Police Station’ Facebook page has been launched, with an online petition available at www.jamesmorrismp.com or by calling James Morris MP’s constituency office on 0121 550 6777.