Relocation of Wrexham Police Station ‘Will Not’ Affect Town Centre Policing

Reassurance that there will not be a reduction in town centre policing has been issued after concerns the development of Wrexham’s new police headquarters could affect service.

The reassurance by Town Centre Inspector Paul Wycherley follows the news that the current police town on Bodhyfryd in the town centre is to be demolished, with a replacement headquarters due to be built on Davy Way on Llay Industrial Estate – a distance of four miles as the crow flies, or five miles if said crow drives a car.

Initial plans for the relocation of Wrexham’s Police Station were first revealed by Wrexham.com in October 2013 after it was discovered that land on Llay Industrial Estate had been secured for the development of the new facility. The land previously was used as the Sharps Electronic Warehouse however at present the site is vacant.

Last week Wrexham.com reported that plans for Wrexham’s new divisional headquarters had been released with the development consisting of a modern, 32-cell custody suite.

The Llay divisional station would replace the existing building, which has been an iconic element of the Wrexham landscape since the 1970s. The decision to demolish and relocate the station comes as a result of the building ‘no longer being suitable for 21st century policing’. Poor facilities and high running costs of the building have also been reasons put forward in relation to building a replacement.

As a result of the demolition / relocation of Wrexham’s divisional police station it expected (subject to planning permission) that an additional, smaller station which will serve the town centre and surrounding areas will move to the former Oriel Gallery on Rhosddu Road early next year.

However concerns the relocation of the Wrexham’s divisional headquarters would result in a drop in policing in the town centre have since been raised – with others voicing concerns that response times to emergencies could be affected.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas also commented on the move, tweeting to say: “Incredible decision by Wrexham Council to allow this to be taken out of our town centre.”

Addressing the concern that the relocation of the main Wrexham Police Station, Inspector Wycherley told Wrexham.com that timelines for the demolition and move are ‘flexible’ and that the current police tower block and associated station will not be knocked down until the replacement station in Llay is completed.

Inspector Wycherley also added reassurance to concerns about the potential affect on policing in Wrexham, adding that ‘there will be no drop in service in Wrexham Town Centre’ due to the additional smaller station in the town centre by the library.

Such a model can be seen up the road in Chester City Centre, where police cars are parked by the bus station ready to respond as part of the Cheshire Police strategy. Part of Wrexham Library car park is due to be used for the town centre police station, so such a sight could be coming to Wrexham shortly.

Interesting Wrexham.com are told the current tower block of the town centre police station will not be ‘blown up’ for a spectacular demolition, rather disintegrated by machinery in a more mundane manner. The Groves was demolished in a similar manner recently, so the below scene is likely to be repeated rather than a set piece count down and explosion!

Planning applications for the development of Wrexham’s new divisional station in Llay and the creation of a smaller police station for the town centre are expected to go before Wrexham Council’s Planning Committee in the relatively near future.

You can read our full report on the planning proposals for Wrexham’s new divisional station / view artist impressions of the building here.