New police station to be opened in Minehead

The force said refurbishment of the new premises is expected to start in May

A coastal town will soon have a new police station.

Avon and Somerset Police has bought the former Seahorse Centre on Stephenson Road, Minehead, from Somerset Council.

The force said refurbishment of the new premises is expected to start in May, with hope of moving in by late autumn.

Temporary Ch Insp Rebecca Wells-Cole, said the new station will be "more efficient to run" and will house an enquiry office so people can come and speak to them directly.

"It will also be the new home of our Neighbourhood Policing Team, who will continue to provide a visible policing presence in Minehead, working proactively to solve problems and support our community," she added.

Ch Insp Wells-Cole said the existing station on Townsend Road "is oversized, in need of refurbishment and is no longer suitable to meet the needs of modern policing".

The force said part of the new building will be leased back to Somerset Council and the site will also be repurposed to deliver training to health and social care staff as part of a government's Levelling Up programme to develop a Somerset Academy for Health and Social Care.

Police officers and staff will continue to work out of the station at Townsend Road until the new station is ready.

The police said the development proposals were at a very early stage and they are yet to submit a planning application.

Any residents with comments and views about the plans are encouraged to get in touch with them.