COMMUNITY leaders are demanding answers over the future of a town's police station.

Staffordshire Police Authority appeared to have put forward plans to sell-off Tunstall Police Station by March 2013.

But that is now being denied by the authority which blamed an "administrative error" for the information appearing in one of its documents.

Despite the denial, the future of the station remains under review.

Staffordshire Police's director of resources Graham Liddiard said: "We can categorically confirm that Tunstall Police Station has not been earmarked for sale in 2012/13.

"We have reviewed the police authority papers and identified an administrative error. "This is currently being rectified and a new police authority agenda will be circulated.

"While there are no plans to sell the site, it is fair to say that we are reviewing the station's use to ensure it provides value for money to the local community. This means looking at ways of reducing the ongoing costs and using the space more effectively. Of course this is something we are doing with all of our buildings across the force."

But residents are demanding to know exactly what the review will entail.

It comes as the police are looking to invest £86,000 in Burslem Police Station – just 12 months after revealing it was up for sale.

Campaigner Doug Green, aged 81, who has previously collected a 3,000-name petition to stop Tunstall police station being closed in the mornings, said: "The strength of feeling over the police station is obvious. I want something in black and white from the police saying the station is safe and not even under review.

"In the last 12 months we have had murders here and people do not feel safe.

"We have a problem with alcoholics in the town and other issues. Rather than even considering the future of the police station it should be open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week."

Independent councillor Lee Wanger added: "People like the reassurance of having a station in Tunstall."

MP Joan Walley, who represents Stoke-on-Trent North, has called for a meeting with senior officers to clarify the station's future.

She said: "The chief constable must urgently personally meet with MPs to set out what Government cuts mean for us locally – and before decisions are made.

"He needs to understand the strength of local feeling and the community spirit of support for our local police services."

Police stations at Stone, Kidsgrove, Newcastle, Stoke and Uttoxeter are all set to close – although alternative bases will be found in those towns.

Staffordshire Police were today unable to find out why £86,000 was being spent on Burslem Police Station.