St Albans police to move into Civic Centre to cut costs
Hertfordshire PCC David Lloyd in the Force Communications Room at the Police Headquarters - Credit: Archant
St Albans police are set to relocate to the Civic Centre in the autumn with the county’s crime czar confirming that the inner city station will be sold to help the force “save money”.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s (Thursday’s) police and crime panel meeting, Herts police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Lloyd confirmed the police station in Victoria Street would be “sold at market value”.
It follows last year’s announcement that under a rental agreement, St Albans police will move into vacant parts of the Civic Centre’s ground floor and basement when their premises close.
In the last 18 months Herts Police has disposed of eight sites and entered into shared accommodation arrangements with councils in St Albans, Rickmansworth and Berkhamsted. This has resulted in a £1 million reduction in the force’s estate running costs for 2014/15.
Outlining his proposed budget and council tax precept, the PCC has signalled he wants to maintain the police portion of the Band D council tax at £147.82.
He said: “There is about a £4 million reduction in the budget for 2014/15.”
Mr Lloyd warned that there would be cuts in some areas, including a £2.7 million slice off the business support department which encompasses administration and corporate areas.
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He has welcomed a £1.95 million grant from the Government in aid of collaboration plans between Beds, Cambs and Herts forces.
Mr Lloyd said that among the challenges facing police was how best to tackle cyber crime.
And there has been an increase in the reporting of sexual offences in Herts since Operation Yewtree, the police investigation launched after the death of Jimmy Savile.
