St Albans police to move into council HQ

Agreement has been reached in principle which will see St Albans police move into the ground floor and basement of the Civic Centre when their current premises close.

St Albans council chief executive James Blake told Tuesday’s meeting of cabinet that the police would rent parts of the Civic Centre following a decision to close the police station in Victoria Street where the front office shut its doors in August.

The move is unlikely to take place until the middle of next year and to accommodate police, existing council staff would move up to the first and second floors giving them space on the ground floor and in the basement.

The news was welcomed by Lib Dem group leader, Cllr Anthony Rowlands, who said it made sense for the police to use vacant space in the civic offices.

He went on: “What we now want is for the police to work with the district council to ensure that a front desk service is maintained.

“Many people want the option of being able to talk face to face to the police.”

Cllr Rowlands added: “Not everyone should be expected to go online or struggle with the Constabulary’s phone system.”