WHEN the council revealed it was selling the building where Prestatyn police were based there was uproar. 

Assurances were given at the time, in 2018, that police were searching for new premises elsewhere in Prestatyn; Police quit Prestatyn after Denbighshire County Council revealed it was selling its Nant Hall Road premises, which also homed the town council chambers and mayor's parlour

Now more than five years on, intentions have been put on the table to create a permanent home for response officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Police are hoping to secure a 15-year-lease the Llys Llen Development, Prestatyn's old library, subject to planning permission. 

Gerry Frobisher, former North Wales Police Constable, was stationed in Prestatyn in 1987 and then Meliden as the village 'Bobby'.

He was the last constable to be stationed in Meliden. He moved to Rhuddlan after Meliden and another 120 similar rural outstations closed down in 1992 due to cost saving measures.

"There has been a police station/presence in Prestatyn since 1903 and I was quite worried about a police presence being taken away from Prestatyn in 2018," Mr Frobisher said, who retired in 1998.

"I am looking forward to a police base back in town. The new base is an excellent location being only metres away from Parc Prestatyn and the High Street.  

"Prestatyn has suffered greatly without police presence in the town centre over the last few years. For example, if an incident has occurred it has taken ages for any police to arrive from Rhuddlan/Rhyl/St Asaph HQ, if at all. Usually arriving after the incident has occurred and those involved have gone.

"I am sure many people of all ages will feel that much more safer and secure having this new police base in the centre of town."

The town’s original Police Station on Nant Hall Road in Prestatyn shut several decades ago and was replaced for many years by a station on Victoria Road.

When this was closed in 2013, a police base was set up within part of the former council offices at 6-8 Nant Hall Road. 

Dr James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, has led a campaign for a permanent police base in Prestatyn town centre for some years.

Dr Davies has "repeatedly" asked senior officers from North Wales Police to increase the visibility and accessibility of police services in Prestatyn, through the re-establishment of a permanent police base in the town centre.

In June 2022, he raised the matter in the House of Commons as a question to the Minister of State for Crime and Policing, when he said: “Neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour is better tackled with the police visibility and responsiveness that a town centre police station can provide” and last year he wrote to Amanda Blakeman to request a meeting of "key decision makers".

This meeting took place in November 2023 and resulted in a "breakthrough" with "in principle" support for a police base in Prestatyn. 

Cllr Hugh Irving (Prestatyn Central) also highlighted the matter within county council discussions.

Dr Davies said: “Prestatyn Town Centre has thrived in recent years and is much busier than it once was.  Although crime in the town is relatively low, antisocial behaviour does exist, and success sadly also brings with it a level of criminal activity.  It is only right therefore that residents and visitors see the town policed appropriately.

“A permanent police base in the town, I believe, will act as a deterrent to crime and be invaluable in terms of ensuring rapid physical response.

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"As part of my campaign, I conducted a survey of residents and received an overwhelming response from over 1,000 people in support of permanent police base.

“This is what residents and businesses people in the town have long been calling for, so they will be as pleased as I am by the news.

“A new station in the town will, without a doubt, make Prestatyn a safer place for all.”  

Cllr Hugh Irving, who is a retired businessman and former magistrate, said: "The long overdue restoration of these facilities is exactly what the town needs and I congratulate all concerned with the successful negotiations to bring uniformed officers back to the town centre."