IT SHOULD come as no surprise to anyone that the future plans for policing on Wirral have come under scrutiny from local politicians.

Protecting local services – from post offices to police stations – is a common cause that unites those normally facing one another across the political divide.

The Daily Post revealed in August that Merseyside Police Authority was considering radical plans for policing the region, which would potentially see Wirral as the first to get a new Area Command Centre.

In its report, the authority stated that, once such a command centre was built, its policy on the closure of stations would be implemented. This would include consultation with “stakeholders” (which, one assumes, means asking locals for their views).

This was enough for several concerned businesses to start circulating petitions demanding stations be protected.

Now the plan has advanced a little further, and local councillors are already banding together to fight their corner.

The authority wants to close two police stations in Birkenhead and replace them with an area command centre – something which has sparked fears among Wallasey residents who believe their station may now be downgraded.

The area commander would certainly be based at the new station in Birkenhead. Local councillors claim patrol cars would also be based there, although the authority says no decision has yet been made.

This is an emotive topic and it is telling that, even though the project is in its infancy, there is already conflict and anxiety about the implications.

This is a debate which can only benefit from transparency and openness at as early a point as possible. The idea of consulting stakeholders – whoever they may be – could well be a case of too little, too late.

The desire to implement more efficient policing is to be applauded; but it will only be a success if the community is made a part of the decision.