WEST Midlands Police has announced the front desk at Stourbridge police station will be shut to save cash.

The desk will be among 27 police stations, including Halesowen and Dudley, to be closed to the public over the next 12 months to save £3m.

This is not the first time the station has been hit by cuts; in 2012 it went from being accessible to the public 24 hours a day to opening from 10am to 6pm.

The force says demand has dropped and modern communications technology has made the front desk a thing of the past.

West Midlands Police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson, said: "The force’s 41 front desks reflect an era where if you wanted to contact the police you had a choice between a landline or visiting a police station in person. That world has changed, and the police must catch up too.

"Ninety five per cent of people have mobile phones now, and can contact the police from anywhere.”

UKIP Councillor Paul Brothwood was quick to criticise the plan and has backed West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge's petition against the closure.

He said: "It is outrageous and immoral. Everyone should have the right to go into their local police station and we will be fighting this.”

However Stourbridge MP Margot James said although the closure would be a loss, she understood why the decision had been made when the lack of visitors was compared to the staffing cost.

Ms James continued: "While a means of face to face contact with the police is important, research has shown that most people prefer to telephone rather than visit the police station in person.

"So before calling for the immediate return of a front desk operation I think we should focus on supporting the officers trying to make the other, more cost effective, methods of communication work for the community.”

Councillor Les Jones, who stood for election as West Midlands police and crime commissioner, said he didn't think the desk closure would make a difference.

The Pedmore and Stourbridge East ward councillor said: “The front desk doesn’t get enough activity to justify being open just in case someone wants to come by.

“There is an intercom where people can press a button and speak to a police officer inside the building and if they see the need, they will let people in. If that continues then I can’t see a problem."

Dudley Council's deputy leader and Parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge, Councillor Pete Lowe said hoped the community’s contact with the police would be maintained: "I can understand the rationale behind it but I would be interested in the views of my constituents.

"My concern would be the community's access to police and I will be seeking assurances that will not be affected."