THE policing team which will service Maldon and the Dengie will be based in Chelmsford, it has been revealed.

Last month, it was announced police stations, including those in Southminster and South Woodham Ferrers, were earmarked for closure.

If the proposals go ahead, the district’s last station, in Maldon, would only open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

The closures are expected to save £5million a year in maintenance costs.

As part of its proposed cuts, Essex Police wants to establish a community policing team covering both Maldon and Chelmsford.

It will replace the current neighbourhood policing team and will include one inspector, two sergeants, ten constables and seven PCSOs – down from the current 31.

At last week’s crime and disorder panel, Insp Alan Cook told councillors the community policing “hub” was likely to be based in Chelmsford.

He said: “The challenge for me is to make sure just because it is based there, you still see your share of that.”