West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore acknowledged that the police service will never be the same again on the historic day he revealed plans to cut costs across the force area, which will include closing Ross Police Station.

West Mercia Police has to save just over £20 million by 2015, and part of the plan involves restructuring local policing teams and reviewing the force's estate and premises.

Not only is it likely that Ross Police Station will close at some time in the next few years, the patrol base will be moved, probably to Ledbury. Ross will become a base for a Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT, the new name for Local Policing Teams) which will be housed in new premises, possibly at a shared location.

The Ross SNT will have a named local police officer supported by PCSOs, and Specials. The hours PCSOs can work will be extended until midnight and they will be given new powers.

However West Mercia will also have to look at cutting other bills to save money and Chief Constable David Shaw admitted it was inevitable 'some people will face redundancy'.

The news, although not unexpected, attracted disappointment and outrage from local residents. Local Councillors were interviewed as the details began to emerge.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.