Solihull Celebrates As Conservatives Secure New Town Centre Police Station

A decade-long Conservative campaign to keep a police station in the heart of Solihull has taken a major step forward after plans were unveiled for a new town centre base on Church Hill Road.

The Conservative-led administration at Solihull Council has announced proposals to relocate Solihull Police Station from its current Homer Road site to The Priory on Church Hill Road, part of the Council House complex.

The move follows discussions between Solihull Council, West Midlands Police and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, and would ensure the town retains a permanent police station in its centre despite long-standing plans to close the existing building.

The proposal will now go before Solihull Council’s Cabinet on July 23, where councillors will be asked to approve a lease for the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

For many local Conservatives, the announcement marks the culmination of years of campaigning against attempts to remove Solihull’s town centre police station.

“A Victory For Solihull”

Solihull MP Saqib Bhatti welcomed the announcement and paid tribute to residents and campaigners who had fought to retain a local police presence.

He said:

“This is wonderful news. A decade of campaigning by the Solihull Conservatives to stop the closure of Solihull Police Station despite successive Labour Police and Crime Commissioners looking to do so.

“Having a permanent base in Solihull Town Centre is essential as you need a base for vehicles and for officers. I committed to saving Solihull Police Station when I was first elected in 2019 and then in 2024, making it clear to the previous and current PCC that I would not accept the closure of Solihull Police Station.

“Thank you to everybody who has supported Solihull Conservatives in this campaign. This is a victory for Solihull.

“This is not the end though. We need more officers across the borough including in our rural policing team and also a front desk to be open in Chelmsley Wood. I, and my fellow Solihull Conservatives, will continue campaigning for this.”

The future of the police station has been a contentious issue since 2018, when plans were first put forward by then Labour Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson to close the Homer Road site as part of wider cost-saving measures across the force.

While the closure date was repeatedly delayed, many residents feared Solihull would ultimately lose its visible town centre police presence altogether.

Conservative-Led Council Delivers Solution

Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said the Conservative administration had worked with policing partners to secure a practical solution that keeps police services accessible to residents.

She said:

“Residents rightly expect to be able to access their local police service, and we have worked proactively with our partners to ensure that continues.

“This proposal keeps a police presence in the heart of Solihull town centre and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together in the interests of our communities.

“As a Conservative-led Council, we are committed to supporting safer neighbourhoods and protecting the services that matter most to local people. I am delighted we have been able to help secure a solution that maintains an accessible police station in Solihull.”

The council says the relocation would make use of existing public assets while ensuring residents continue to have access to policing services in the town centre.

Community Campaigns Played Their Part

The issue has attracted support from across the political spectrum over the years.

Most recently, Reform UK councillors launched a petition calling for guarantees that Solihull would retain a town centre police station. The campaign attracted more than 850 signatures.

Reform UK Group Leader Councillor Samantha Gethen described the announcement as a victory for local residents and campaigners.

The proposed relocation to Church Hill Road appears to satisfy a key demand shared by many residents regardless of political affiliation – that Solihull should continue to have a visible and accessible police station at the heart of the town.

Subject To Final Approval

The plans are still subject to approval by Solihull Council’s Cabinet later this month.

However, if approved, the move will secure a permanent town centre home for Solihull Police Station and bring to an end years of uncertainty over its future.

For many residents, the announcement will be seen as confirmation that the town’s police presence has been preserved rather than lost – a result local Conservatives are already celebrating as one of their most significant local campaigning victories in recent years.