Jay Singh-Sohal

The overwhelming majority of residents in Sutton Coldfield say they do not trust the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) when it comes to retaining policing services in the Royal Town.

That’s the damning result from a resident’s survey of Sutton Coldfield, initiated by local campaigners fighting the closure of the current police station in the Royal Town.

It comes after the publication of the English Devolution White Paper which indicates that the West Midlands Mayor will take on more regional powers including over policing, as the government commits to increasing the number of Mayors with Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities.

The residents’ survey was a necessity after the PCC (Simon Foster) failed to publicly consult locals about his controversial plan about Sutton Coldfield police station. 

The survey, conducted between 11 October to 08 December 2024, reveals that:

• 91% said they did not have enough information about the PCCs plans for Sutton Coldfield Police Station
• 97% did not feel that the PCC has treated Sutton Coldfield and its residents fairly and respectfully over our police station
• 97.5% said they do not trust the PCC when he says we’ll retain current policing service

When asked what they wanted:

• 92% of residents said the PCC should engage local residents with a public consultation

When asked what they would like the PCC to outline:

• 92% said reasons for NOT holding a public consultation about the police station closure
• 92% said reasons for not attending Sutton Coldfield Town Council to take questions about the closure plan

The survey was designed by local campaigner Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal, a strategic communications director with professional experience of conducting research. 

He said: “As the government plans to merge the role of PCC with the regions Mayor, an urgent intervention is now needed to address the unpopular police closure decision.  The strength of feeling amongst residents is clear, the closure of our current police station and removal of police officers and services to nearby houses is inadequate and will not give us the current level of service let alone improve local policing.  This change required a public consultation but in ignoring these calls the Police Commissioner has acted against the public interest.”

The PCC Simon Foster has long claimed a consultation was not necessary because police houses opposite the current station site would be used to provide police services.  But this has been debunked by campaigners with evidence suggesting the houses are not fit to replace the services operated from the current police station. (see article here).

Simon Foster has also been in a long-drawn argument with local MP Andrew Mitchell and local town councillors about engaging with them directly and in public.  The PCC has instead offered private meetings to discuss the issue, which local elected officials have rejected, insisting any discussion should be democratic and held in front of concerned residents.

The survey also has potential for national impact.  With 97.5% saying the law should be changed to ensure PCCs open a public consultation when a police station is threatened with closure.  It indicated the need for greater scrutiny and accountability of Police Commissioner plans when it comes to police stations, which being publicly funded also require protection from controversial decisions. 

Local campaigner Capt. Jay Singh-Sohal, who has led the fight for the retention of the current police station with more localised services, will now be writing to the Home Office and Policing Minister about the need for the closure plans to be halted amid plans to merge the PCC responsibilities into the Mayoralty, and for a change in law to ensure that PCCs consult with residents when they make contentious decisions to close police stations.

Ends.