Wirral service to stay put

MERSEYSIDE Police have made a u-turn over plans to centralise Wirral Coroner's Officers in Liverpool.

The decision was made earlier this year and put on hold last month. The Coroner and local MPs are now celebrating victory after police had a change of heart.

The police originally claimed that to optimise their use of resources, all Merseyside Coroner's Officers should be located in the Liverpool Coroner's Court.

In June Wirral MPs wrote to Chief Constable Norman Bettison, arguing that the work involved a great deal of travelling around Wirral so making the journey from Liverpool would not help to cut costs.

Wirral Coroner Christopher Johnson pointed out in the Globe that the officers operated a very high standard of service and that this would be compromised by centralisation.

The police have now accepted that none of the Merseyside Coroners want the centralisation and have agreed to provide 11 Coroner's Officers for the area.

Said Mr Johnson: "I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and that my Coroner's Officers will continue to work from an office based in Wirral."

After the closure of the office next to Hoylake Police Station, the officers are now looking for a new home. They have been temporarily based at West Kirby Concourse until another, more suitable, office is found by Wirral Council.

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