MALDON’s new police base has been officially opened.

The police, who have moved out of their West Square station, will remain in Maldon at the council offices in Princes Road.

The new base was opened by Essex Police’s Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, Police & Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, Maldon District Council leader Mark Durham, CEO Fiona Marshall and Chairman Henry Bass.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “Local and visible policing is important to communities in Essex and it is important to me too.

“We want to keep our officers at the heart of the places they serve, protecting people from harm, catching criminals and detecting crime. This base will enable that to happen whilst at the same time ensuring we have an even closer working relationship with our partners at the council.

“It is a great sign of our shared commitment to community safety that Maldon District Council has helped make today happen.”

Roger Hirst, PCC for Essex, added: “We know that our communities want local, visible and accessible policing and by working with our district and town councils we can get closer to our communities, provide a more joined up service and do more for the public.

“The people of Maldon deserve an efficient, effective and modern police force working closely with local partners and communities to resolve local issues. This co-location is a great step toward building even stronger relationships between local organisations and the community and I would like to thank the council and the local police officers for their shared commitment to this aspiration."

The new base will offer a front counter service, staffed by Essex Police employees, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

The former police station in West Square, Maldon closed on Monday July 31st. The building will be put up for sale in the coming months.

Maldon police station is one of several being sold as the estate is reduced from 80 to approximately 30 buildings to help modernise the force.