Town's police set to use fire station as base

Stone fire station will now have dedicated facilities for police staff

Police officers in a Staffordshire town are set to base themselves at a fire station under new plans announced by the county's commissioner.

Ben Adams said the proposals were part of commitment for the two services to work more closely with one another.

There will be a specially-equipped room in the fire station, which police officers and PCSOs can use during their shift.

Similar arrangements have already been introduced in Penkridge and Kinver, while plans for Kidsgrove and Uttoxeter are also being progressed.

Mr Adams said: “The Stone police base will be part of Staffordshire Police’s local policing model, with more officers based in our communities with the local knowledge and contacts to deal with the issues that matter to people.

“Making the most effective use of Stone’s modern, purpose-built facilities not only makes operational sense, allowing the two emergency services to work more closely together locally, but also makes the best use of resources and therefore public money.”

'Build effective relationships'

Ch Insp Giles Parsons, from the Stafford local policing team which covers Stone, said having the base would enable officers to deploy to the town centre more quickly.

He said it would also help the force increase visibility and work more collaboratively with other emergency services.

“It’s important that we continue to tackle the needs of residents, businesses and people in the local community by finding effective ways of partnership working across all of the blue-light service,” he said.

“Police officers and firefighters often attend the same incidents, so it makes sense for us to share resources and continue to build practical and effective relationships with our colleagues.”

Stone fire station manager Liam Hickey added: “This initiative is going to help us strengthen relationships, share resources and work more closely with our policing colleagues to assist with the needs of the local community as effectively as possible."