Gresford police station to be closed and sold off – councillor asks for speed reduction measures from proceeds

A village police station is set to be decommissioned and closed next month.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said Gresford Police Station has been used by “a small number of Police Officers and PCSOs as a “touchdown base whilst in the community.”

However there has not been a public enquiry counter service at the station for some time.

In a letter sent to local representatives Mr Jones states that due to the station’s infrequent use, its proximity to the new divisional headquarters in Llay and an annual running cost of £12,000, it has been proposed the station is decommissioned at the end of July.

The letter continues onto say: “It is for that reason the decision has been made to sell the property which will also generate a capital receipt for reinvestment into the Force’s estate.

“The world of policing has changed dramatically over the last few years. We are now providing Officers with internet-enabled devices, which mean they are able to work in public areas, such as cafes and libraries, where they are much more visible and accessible to the communities they serve than they would be if they were based in traditional police stations or office buildings.

“This increase in the use of technology has the added benefit of ensuring that Officers continue to meet the expectations of the public by keeping them safe from harm as a result of the ever increasing cyber threats.

“These two benefits alone provide huge benefits in improving community engagement both within our densely populated urban areas, as well as our harder to reach rural communities.

The intention is to decommission Gresford police station by the end of July and then place the building on the “open market very soon afterwards.”

Gresford councillor Andrew Atkinson said if the station were to close, he would like to see some of the money made from the sale of the building invested into speed restriction measures on Chester Road.

Cllr Atkinson said: “I’ve expected this decision to be made since the decision was made to build the police HQ in Llay.

“If this is to go ahead and there is no way of changing the decision then I would like to meet with Arfon Jones the PCC to ask for him to invest in speed reduction measures for Chester Road.

“His letter acknowledges the obvious capital receipt from the building and the annual savings on costs and it’s my hope that some of this can be invested into the local Gresford community.

Having a police station and presence on Chester Road may well act as a deterrent for drivers speeding past and I’d like to chat this through with Mr Jones to see what measures can be put in place.

I would like to discuss this decision as a whole and it’s impact on police presence and crime in our community with Mr Jones and all of our Community Council.

“I’m sure my colleagues would like the opportunity to debate and discuss this with him too.”