PLANS to shut Dudley police station to the public were kept under wraps for two months despite a high-profile anti-closure campaign.

Even the town’s MP, Ian Austin, did not know people would not be able to visit the front desk after May 31 even though a decision had been made on March 5.

Mr Austin said he was disappointed with the news, which was announced on Friday (May 15) but vowed to carry on his effort to keep it open.

After the News made the newly-re-elected Dudley North MP aware the decision had been made two months ago he said: “Nobody has told me that the decision was taken in March or told me the date until Friday."

Mr Austin launched his campaign in November 2014, when West Midlands Police announced its intention to close 27 front desks across the region in a bid to save more than £3million.

Although he was in the dark about the latest developments, he said it would not have made a difference if he had known, adding: "It wouldn't have changed anything, I would have been campaigning to keep the station open irrespective.”

More than 2,200 people signed a petition organised by Mr Austin to oppose Dudley becoming the “largest town in the country without a police station open to the public”.

Campaigners claimed a small victory when Dudley was not on a list of front desks closing in February which included Stourbridge and Halesowen.

He said he was under the impression that the force was holding off the decision on the Dudley station until after the general election, which took place on May 7.

He said: "I got a commitment from Labour’s shadow police minister that he would expect West Midlands Police to keep the station open if Labour won the election.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson revealed the announcement was delayed to avoid potentially influencing the general election.

However West Midlands Police said the delay was to allow staff to be informed and moved to other roles.

Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said the decision to close front offices had "not been taken lightly" and followed a year-long review.

He added: "The simple fact is front offices are hugely underused and cost the taxpayer millions each year to keep open. Nothing will change to the local delivery of policing - local neighbourhood teams will continue to patrol and be very much a part of their local community."

The nearest police station with a manned front desk will be in Brierley Hill, which will be open from 8am to 10pm.