PRESTATYN’S new police station will officially open in the centre of the town next week.

The station will be a new base for response officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team, developed on the Llys Llên site of the town’s former library on Nant Hall Road.

North Wales Police has taken one of Llys Llên’s non-residential units on the ground floor, while 14 new apartments are also being built at the site by Denbighshire County Council.

The front counter at the station will be open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday.

Per the planning application submitted to the council, the Prestatyn station will house staff 24 hours a day at the 134-metre site, with up to 16 staff based at the building.

It will comprise an office, locker rooms, interview room, reception counter, canteen, toilets, and four car parking spaces.

North Wales Police’s chief constable, Amanda Blakeman said: “Having listened to both our local residents and business community, I am delighted that we will once again have a base within the town.

“Recent years have seen an upturn in Prestatyn’s fortunes, but with increased footfall and retail outlets inevitably come more challenges that need policing.

“Our officers and staff are part of the local community, it is really important that they are visible, have a strong presence in the town and are easily accessible to the public.

“To this end, I am pleased that the community will be able to access the station’s front counter services to speak to officers and staff daily from Tuesday to Saturday.

“This new station will ensure that we truly are at the heart of the community, close to the busy retail park.”

Prestatyn’s old police station was at the Bevans building, also on Nant Hall Road.

But police moved to the town’s court building on Victoria Road in the 1960s, before operations were transferred to St Asaph Business Park around a decade ago.

North Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, added: “I am delighted to see the opening of the new police station in Prestatyn.

“Coming at the start of Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week, this is an important and welcome development for fighting crime in the town.

“It is the product of a great deal of effort and cooperation, over a long period, between my office, North Wales Police, the current and former members of parliament, and the local council – especially the hard work of the late Cllr Peter Prendergast.

“When many forces across the UK are reducing their police station footprint, I am pleased to see that here in North Wales we are opening a new station to serve local communities, act as a base for neighbourhood policing, and to meet today’s crime-fighting needs.”

Cllr Rhys Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for housing and communities, said: “I’m very pleased that the council and North Wales Police have been able to work together closely to bring about the opening of this new community police station at Llys Llên in the centre of Prestatyn.

“This is a great result for the people of Prestatyn and the council is delighted to have worked in close partnership to bring about this this police station for the community.”