STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James has said she would be speaking to police this week to “impress the urgency” of finding a new permanent base in the town.

Ms James said she was shocked to hear reports of an incident in which a police officer was confronted by an armed man at a property in Park Street on Saturday (November 18) and she accepted “recent events will have impacted on some people’s view of the town”.

But she stressed: “I am confident that it remains a safe place to live and work despite these recent terrible incidents.”

The Conservative MP said she regularly meets with police to discuss crime issues in the town and to raise concerns brought to her attention by residents and she has also written on a number of occasions to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands to request additional support at crime flashpoints.

She added: “I will continue to raise these issues.

“I am also working with local councillors to try to bring a permanent base for the police back to Stourbridge. I understand that an offer has been made by the council to provide the police with a space in the town centre.

“Discussions are still ongoing at present. I will speak to the police this week to impress upon them the urgency of the situation.

"I know that a permanent base for the police in Stourbridge would be greatly reassuring for local residents.”

Two teenagers have since been charged in connection with Saturday’s incident.

Unemployed Reece Lones, aged 19, of no fixed address, has been charged with criminal damage to property and possession of a firearm.

He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (November 20) and was remanded in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on December 18.

A 17-year-old lad, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with possession of a knife and possession of cannabis and is due to appear at Wolverhampton Youth Court next month.