POLICE stations in Pershore and Broadway are set to close in a bid by West Mercia Police to slash spending.

Under the proposals Pershore police station will be shut and officers relocated to a building within the town but the station in Broadway will close completely with no replacement site being sought. The plans now go to public consultation.

Broadway would be hard hit by the changes as its station will close and be replaced with a community policing post. The village would fall under the jurisdiction of Evesham’s safer neighbourhood team.

Currently the station, in Leamington Road, has no set opening times and is manned by volunteers.

Parish councillor Nigel Robinson said: “I am really disappointed. Obviously I am annoyed at the lack of consultation with the parish council. I am concerned what will happen to the building.

“Where will tourists go if they lose something?

We have thousands visiting Broadway. Maybe we should be looking for a reduction in our precept for the lack of coverage.”

The proposals aim to save West Mercia Police £1.5 million, just part of the £20.1 million it is required to save by 2015.

Meanwhile, Pershore will retain its local policing teams, which will be stationed at a new base in the town. Front counter services will still be provided from the current location at the Wychavon District Council offices, close to where the station is currently located.

Speaking at the town hall, Pershore Mayor Charles Tucker said: “This closure is perhaps an opportunity to find offices back in the centre of the town and we are sitting in one right now.”

Evesham police station in Abbey Road is unaffected by the changes.

Outlining the cuts at police HQ in Hindlip, police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore said: “I can look back at generations of policing from 30 or 40 years ago and safely say the basics have not changed. It’s all about people.”

Chief constable David Shaw said: “Buildings provide no protection, people do.”

The proposed cuts will take effect over the next two years. Consultations are being held at Worcester’s Whitehouse Hotel, Foregate Street, on Tuesday from 1pm.