Newton Aycliffe police station to close as lease ends

Durham Police in Newton Aycliffe currently operates from a Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service station

A police station based inside a fire and rescue building will close, after the 10-year lease came to an end.

Durham Police said a consultation had begun, and a search was under way for a "cost-effective and operationally sound" alternative in Newton Aycliffe.

Nearly 30 officers and staff work from the current building on Central Avenue.

Joy Allen, police and crime commissioner for Durham, said some staff would remain at the site until a "suitable building" was found in town.

"This means local neighbourhood officers will be fully operational at the premises, and visible to our communities, whilst we work on alternative plans.

"The Constabulary has already viewed a number of premises in recent months but has discounted them as not being suitable as a police base, and is actively engaged in further work to identify suitable premises."

She said the force "needed to understand the views of the public, so it could find a solution that "works for them, and is cost-effective and operationally sound".

In the past two months, on average, about five people have visited the existing facility each day, chiefly to report incidents and attend for bail, she added.