Police Prepare to Relocate in Abergavenny

18fed Chwefror 2016

The former court buildings and the police station on Tudor Street are going to be offered for sale on the joint instructions of the Ministry of Justice and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Ian Johnston, who is responsible for the police estate.

The court buildings have been empty for over twelve months and the facilities at the Police Station currently do not meet modern requirements. The police station is expensive to run and large parts of the building such as the custody unit remain effectively unused.

The PCC has made it clear today however that the sale of the buildings will not impact on the service provided and that the Force will continue to have visibility and a base with a front counter within the town.

On behalf of the Commissioner, the Estate and Facilities Team at Gwent Police have been proactively working with partners in the community to retain accessible policing in the town, the details of which are currently being discussed. This will enable the Force to move to a more suitable, sustainable and cost effective location in the town which will provide more value for money for the public. The Force will not vacate the current building for at least 12 months after the sale has been agreed.

The joint sale of the two properties provides an exciting development opportunity and the site will be suitable for a variety of alternative uses subject to planning permission.

Highlighting the reasons behind the decision, Gwent PCC Ian Johnston said: "This move is to be welcomed and I would like to make it perfectly clear from the outset that there will be no change in the service provided and the Force will continue to have visibility and a base with a front counter service within the town. Ensuring Gwent Police has a strong presence in the heart of the communities it serves is important where reassuring and engaging with the public is concerned.

We have been working with partners in the community to ensure that residents can continue to engage with their local neighbourhood policing team and we are currently in discussions with partners around specific locations within the town. This change enables us to provide better value for money for the public whilst maintaining levels of frontline policing in the town. Selling both properties together also makes way for a potentially new and exciting development opportunity."