MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is holding public meetings in Wirral next week to give people a chance to air their views on a proposed £130m revamp of stations.

Under the proposals eight police stations across the borough would close as part of a Merseyside-wide shake-up that will see cops based in libraries and community centres. Exisiting buildings will be replaced by so-called "community stations".

Wallasey is to become the borough's principal operating headquarters, with Birkenhead replaced by a community station and patrol hub.

Police stations at Heswall, Hoylake, Moreton, Well Lane in Prenton and Laird Street, will be sold-off and replaced by community stations.

Bebington will be retained and refurbished to become a neighbourhood and patrol hub replacement for Bromborough.

A community police station replacement is planned in Upton.

The scheme also includes plans for a £26m refurbishment of Merseyside Police headquarters in Canning Place.

Ms Kennedy will now begin a two-month consultation inviting the public to have their say on the proposals.

Public consultation meetings will take place on the following days:

Tuesday, October 28: Asda, Welton Road, Croft Retail Park, Bromborough from 10.30am-12.30pm.

Thursday, October 30: Tesco, Telegraph Road, Heswall from midday until 2pm.

Friday, October 31: Tesco, Bidston Link Road from 10.30am-12.30pm.

Every community will have a neighbourhood team of police and community support officers.

The £130million investment proposals will provide community police stations for each neighbourhood, fund a new serious and organised crime centre and save £2.5million every year on the cost of running the present police estate – protecting 65 police officer posts each year.

Community Police Stations have already proved a huge success in St Helens, reducing anti-social behaviour and improving relationships with the public.

The intention is to roll this model out across the region, providing modern facilities which are regularly open to local people.

Jane Kennedy said: "It is really important that I hear the views of people across Merseyside on these proposals.

"That is why I am travelling around the region, asking the public in every policing neighbourhood to have their say.

"These proposals are all about ensuring officers and PCSOs remain at the heart of their communities.

"The Chief Constable and I want our neighbourhood teams to be more visible and more accessible, because we know that is what the people of Merseyside want.

"These proposals will give neighbourhood teams better facilities in better locations so they can continue to keep Merseyside one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.

"It will also save £2.5m every year on the cost of running the current estate – that means protecting 65 police officer jobs."

For details on all the public events, more details on the proposal and to have your say, visit: www.takingtherightsteps.com