THE only remaining police station in the Maldon district will close by the end of the month.

The district has already lost its police stations in Burnham, then Southminster, and now, it is understood, the police station in High Street, Maldon, will be shut on July 31 after more than 100 years.

Essex Police promised to continue to have a presence in the town, at a base within the Maldon District Council offices, off Princes Road.

The force refused to reveal the final details until next week, just a few days before the move is finalised.

It is not clear how many officers will be based in the district and what impact it will have on the elderly and vulnerable when the nearest police station for many will be in Chelmsford.

The move has been met with a lot of opposition from residents and town councillors who wanted to keep the purpose-built police station.

While the force refused to comment, council leader Mark Durham said: “Fitting out work is well under way for the police accommodation and it is anticipated they will relocate their operational base from the High Street to these offices during the summer.

“The final phase of turning the council offices into a community hub is nearing completion, with many partner organisations now under one roof.

“The past year has seen the demolition of St Cedds House creating vital additional parking spaces.”

A petition was set up to oppose the move by residents, and gathered a lot of support.

Police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst dismissed concerns claiming visible policing is not achieved by “having officers sat behind desks, completing paperwork in stations built for the way policing was over 100 years ago”.