Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab)

- Hansard -

I rise to present a petition opposing the closure of Dudley police station to the public. West Midlands police announced last year that Dudley police station is one of 27 across the region that are set to have their front offices closed to the public to protect police numbers in the face of funding cuts. That will leave Dudley as the largest town in the country without a police station that is open to the public.

That is completely unacceptable, which is why I launched the petition. The fact that 2,200 residents, including our former superintendent, Mr Roger Bagley, signed the petition shows that local people agree. Our campaign has kept the station open so far, but we are stepping up our efforts to ensure that it stays open for good. There is huge opposition to the plans in Dudley, which is why the petitioners

“request that the House of Commons urges the Government to make resources available to keep Dudley Police Station open to the public.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The Petition of residents of the Dudley North constituency,

Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the proposal to close Dudley Police Station to the public.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to make resources available to keep Dudley Police Station open to the public.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.]

[P001449]