HARPENDEN police station is to close its doors to the public as part of cost-cutting plans.

The Herts Advertiser can reveal this morning that the front enquiry office at the police station in Vaughan Road will close but the building will continue to be used as an operational base.

Police have stressed that front-line services will be protected and they have given reassurances to the public that budgets for the safer neighbourhood teams have been ring-fenced for at least the next two years.

They have also promised to look into securing drop-in sessions within the community in areas where front counter services are being scrapped, as well as stepping up visibility and support to vulnerable members of society to ensure that a strong police presence is felt.

The plans to close the enquiry offices at nine stations across the county were revealed at a media briefing yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

As previously reported, the force had already announced plans to close a number of stations including London Colney and sell off the sites as they struggle to meet a �36 million shortfall in funding over the next four years.

Other ways that Herts Police are attempting to bridge the gap in funding is by cutting bureaucracy.

Read the full story and reaction to the decision in this week’s Herts Advertiser.