A BITTER exchange has broken out between the leader of Dudley Council and the office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner over who is responsible for falling police numbers in the borough.

Conservative councillor Patrick Harley took to Facebook to say there is adequate funding to employ officers on the beat before attacking Labour PCC,  David Jamieson, over the refurbishment of Lloyd House, the force’s Birmingham headquarters.

Claiming the renovation cost £50 million, he described it as "vamping up" the building and a "disgrace".

His comments provoked a sharp response from the PCC’s office, which said cllr Harley had got his figures wrong and was "out of touch with reality".

Cllr Harley made his comments when answering questions from members of the public through a live webcast on Facebook.

Responding to queries about numbers of bobbies on the beat and the future of Dudley Police Station, he replied: “The decisions on police recruitment and retention are down to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“There is adequate funding in his budget to make sure the West Midlands and Dudley in particular, have sufficient police officers.

“When you spend over £50 million refurbishing your offices and headquarters, then you have no right to criticise any government – be it Labour, Conservative or whatever – about police cuts.

“He is a Labour PCC and it is totally unacceptable to spend £50 million decorating your offices when you are losing officers on the beat.”

His comments caused Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Lynnette Kelly,  to defend her boss David Jamieson and the renovation of Lloyd House - which she said cost £30 million but will save £3 million a year from not having to rent additional office space.

“Patrick Harley stated there is adequate funding for West Midlands Police," she said.

"He is out of touch with reality if he honestly thinks the police have enough funding.

"Around 85 per cent of our funding comes directly from the government and that funding has been slashed to the bone over the last eight years.

“Patrick Harley clearly has not listened to the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, or any other senior police officer for that matter.

“He also hasn’t listened to his own government’s Home Secretary who have all said that there are major issues with police funding.”

She added: “West Midlands Police has faced more than £145 million in government cuts since 2010, and despite being rated by the independent inspectorate as one of the most efficient forces in the country have lost over 2,000 officers.

“The redevelopment of Lloyd House predates the current PCC and I am not sure where Mr Harley’s figures are from, as they seem to be entirely inaccurate.

“When the headquarters were opened by the government’s Policing Minister he said ‘this refurbishment will not only save money, but will also mean they will have an improved working environment to carry out their vital duties’.

“I am surprised Patrick Harley’s views are completely the opposite of his government’s Policing Minister.”