Police station to close as part of redevelopment

Guildford Police Station is to close as part of a project to redevelop the force’s headquarters

A police station in Surrey is to close as part of a project to redevelop the force’s headquarters in Mount Browne.

Residents will be left with only a counter service at Guildford Police Station.

Surrey Police said it would help to improve response time for officers attending high-risk incidents.

Some local residents have opposed the plans.

The force published proposals in April to update ageing accommodation blocks, build a new call centre and modernise dog training kennels and accommodation for students.

It also called on residents to have their say about its ambitions to transform its Old Portsmouth Road headquarters in Guildford.

It has since been confirmed that the plans also include the closure of Guildford Police Station, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application to redevelop its Mount Browne site follows a public consultation in August last year when community groups, businesses and residents, within a 2.5km (1.5 mile) radius of Mount Browne, were invited to view the plans and ask questions.

The two-part application also included a new access road onto the site which the force said would relieve traffic in the neighbouring residential areas.

Residents will be left with only a counter service at Guildford Police Station

However, a resident said the information regarding the closure of Guildford Police Station was “omitted in all the planning documents”.

“All response for Guildford Town Centre will either come from mobile units or out of Mount Browne and along Portsmouth Road back into town,” they said.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said it was committed to delivering the best policing service possible, by “ensuring our people are in the right locations and in buildings that are fit for purpose”.

“The proposals would see teams relocating from Guildford Police Station to Mount Browne, improving emergency response times for police units attending high-risk incidents and a public front counter presence would be maintained in the town centre for ease of public access,” she said.

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