PRESTATYN’S new police station in the centre of the town was officially declared open this morning (November 18).
The station is a new base for response officers and the Neighbouhood 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 station will house staff 24 hours a day at the 134-metre site, with up to 16 staff based at the building.
It comprise an office, locker rooms, interview room, reception counter, canteen, toilets, and four car parking spaces.
North Wales Police’s chief constable, Amanda Blakeman, declared the station open shortly after 11am today, at a ceremony attended by dignitaries including Clwyd East MP, Becky Gittins, and Denbighshire County Council leader, Cllr Jason McLellan.
“Local residents and the business community have been really clear about what they want and need here in Prestatyn, and the voice of the community has really paid dividends here, so I’m really grateful for that.
“I’m grateful to my team who have really played a key role in terms of being able to secure a premises, do the designs, listen to what the local officers need, and make it all a reality.
“I’m also grateful tot the council, who have been key partners and have allowed us to work closely with them to secure this property.
“I had an opportunity to come and see this property before it was refurbished, so I know how much has gone on here.
“I’ve also visited during the course of the refurbishment, and have seen the care and attention that the team have taken.
“I’m really delighted that we’ve got a police station right at the heart of the town. This will enable our officers and staff to be visible, and to be easily accessible in public.
The front counter at the station will be open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, with the chief constable adding: “We think those are the really key times.”
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.”
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