Police station is evacuated

Sep 14 2007 By Paul Bradley And Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

AN HISTORIC Birmingham city centre police station has been closed suddenly amid safety fears after structural damage was discovered to its roof.

Staff based at Digbeth Police Station were evacuated to police headquarters in Steelhouse Lane after surveyors found the damage.

Today, the Digbeth High Street force, made up of a neighbourhood team, sector team and traffic department, was running operations from shared offices at the city's top station.

Digbeth Police Station, a Grade II listed building, has been at the heart of the area's multicultural community for more than a century.

Doors have been bolted shut and security PIN pads disabled with signs put up telling locals there is nobody inside to deal with emergencies or enquiries.

A notice posted on the front door read: "This police station is tempo-rarily closed to the public. If your inquiry is urgent please call 999."

Advice posted on the outside of the building told members of the public to go to Steelhouse Lane police station if they needed to speak to an officer in person.

Another sign read "Digbeth police station is temporarily closed for repairs."

Today, a police spokesman was unable to confirm if the historic building was in danger of collapsing but admitted the damage must be "quite serious" as all staff were evacuated.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Digbeth Police Station has been closed temporarily after a structural problem has been identified in part of the roof of the building.

"The station will remain closed while further checks are carried out.

"Police officers and staff have been relocated to Steelhouse Lane.

"This will not affect policing of the city centre in any way."

Digbeth, Eastside, Highgate, Southside and Attwood Green neighbourhoods were all served by the station before the move.