CONCERNED residents quizzed a council leader over plans to move the town’s police station to “inaccessible” council offices.

Proposals to move the police out of West Square, Maldon, which has been the force’s base since 1912, are being progressed.

Officers are due to move into Maldon District Council’s office building, on Princes Road, this spring.

But at a full council meeting last week residents told leader Miriam Lewis they had been left feeling vulnerable after the announcement.

Rosalind Murphy questioned whether the council offices were the right place for the police to be based.

She said: “Is the inaccessible district council offices, with the narrow and congested exit routes, the best positioning for the centre of policing in this historic and sociable town?

“Over 700 people have signed a petition to save our police station; because it is so well placed and accessible. There are fears for the town, the district and beyond the district.”

Mrs Murphy described the town as “feeling extremely vulnerable”.

Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst will hold a meeting at the council offices on Monday from 7pm.

Ms Lewis said: “It was because we had a strong feeling we needed a police presence in the town that we responded.

“This was not our decision and if the police don’t move to this building or another building it will be lost from the district. It is their choice, and unlike West Square we have lots of parking.”

Tom Kelly called for the council’s overview and scrutiny committee to investigate the background to the police station move.

Ms Lewis replied: “The council recognised the need to retain the police station in the town and was proactive in working with the police to look at options to relocate the service rather than lose it.”

She said the decision was a “win win” situation leading to the retention of the police services and utilising council space.