Police to build new custody suite and offices at Llay

The high-rise police station and swimming baths dominate part of Wrexham skyline

Police have secured land for a new custody suite and offices in Wrexham amid plans to quit their high-rise divisional headquarters in the town.

They plan to move most of their facilities to a site opposite the Sharp factory at Llay Industrial Estate.

But officers say they are in talks to find space for a new town centre station alongside Wrexham council.

They have yet to decide what to do with the current station built in the 1970s and say it is no longer suitable.

Chief Constable Mark Polin said there was an "urgent need for change" as a review of North Wales Police buildings in 2011 ruled Wrexham police station "no longer fit for purpose" with poor facilities and high running costs.

"Due to the age of the building and the custody suite falling short of the requirements of a modern custody facility, simply upgrading or renewing individual parts of the building is not an option," said Mr Polin.

Subject to planning permission, he said the planned new divisional headquarters would be ideally located to serve Flintshire and Wrexham counties.

Police want to open a new station in Wrexham town centre alongside some of Wrexham council's services although the exact details are not yet known.

Wrexham Museum occupies the town's former police station building

The intention is that the new facility will provide space for Wrexham police and community support officers as well as providing a front counter service for the public.

"We have been working closely with Wrexham County Borough Council and local agents to find suitable land in the Wrexham area to build new policing facilities," said Mr Polin.

North Wales police and crime commissioner Winston Roddick said: "We are committed to maintaining the local police presence in Wrexham.

"We feel that keeping our response officers and the front counter in the heart of Wrexham supports this commitment."

Police are taking advice from experts about how to relocate peregrine falcons which nest on the police station at Bodhyfryd to St Giles' church tower on the other side of town.

View from top of Wrexham police station looking towards Chester Road