Council bosses have vowed to work with police chiefs to make the borough a safer place – with plans in the pipeline for a new police station in Dudley town centre.

Blueprints for the station are currently being drawn up by West Midlands Police to build a new base on council-owned land off Hall Street.

The station will have a front desk open to the public, marking the return of a permanent police presence in the town for the first time since the closure of the New Street station in 2017. Detailed plans are currently being developed. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

"Although it’s still in the very early stages and a planning application is yet to be submitted, we wholeheartedly welcome moves by West Midlands Police to re-establish a base in Dudley town centre. This is why we have agreed that the police can use this council-owned site to provide the new station.

"The decision to sell the land to West Midlands Police was a decision taken by myself after viewing all other possible bids. It’s a good decision financially for the council and brings back into use derelict land which has blotted the landscape for years.

"I have made it a clear priority of my administration to improve the safety of our residents. This is a step in the right direction.vWe are spending millions to breathe new life into our town centres – but people won’t visit them if they don’t feel safe.

"A strong, visible police presence really helps towards that and we are constantly talking and working with our colleagues over at the police to see how we can work together. We are both striving to make the borough a safer place to live in and visit."