Surrey police station sales halted to 'maximise value'

The sale of 10 police stations in Surrey has been halted by the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Kevin Hurley, who was appointed last November, had vowed that his first action would be to ask for a review of the policy of selling the buildings.

The sales have been suspended to ensure "the best possible value is being recouped" for the properties.

There is no plan to reopen any of the premises as police stations, Surrey Police said.

The 10 sites are in Esher, Haslemere, Epsom, Leatherhead, Old Woking, Banstead, Camberley, Horley, Sunbury and Chertsey.

'Maximise value'

The disposals of Egham and East Molesey police stations are near completion and will continue.

Deputy PCC Jeff Harris said the "basic logic" of the policy was sound.

He said: "Co-locating police teams with councils has helped improve services to the public.

"Closing ageing and barely-used stations has reduced our maintenance costs.

"However, I think the time is right to look at the disposals currently under way and assess whether we can take a more commercially-minded approach to maximise their value."