Mobile police station will house officers in Melbourn while their new office is built

MELBOURN police station has closed its doors for the last time.

As revealed in the Crow two weeks ago, the Cambridgeshire Police force has been given planning permission to construct a new, purpose-built, police facility in the village after the old police station in the high street was sold to a housing association.

The old station closed last week, and while the new offices are built police will operate of a mobile office.

Sector Inspector Chris Savage, from Cambridgeshire Police said: "We hope that residents will benefit from the new location, which is adjacent to other village services. By being in the heart of the community we hope residents will find it easier to speak to officers about issues they have.

"It will also mean officers are in close contact with partner services for the area. We will be holding regular police surgeries and drop-in sessions for residents at times when people are likely to be using the other services in the area as well."

Insp Savage also moved to assure residents that there will be "no drop in service" while the interim measures are in place.

He said: "The mobile police station will be used in the village while the new premises are being built and we will ensure there is no drop in service.

"During this time and once the new base is operating, I will continue to work closely with the sergeant and rest of the team to ensure patrols are targeted and officers are available when residents need them."

The new site will consist of an office area for staff to work from, as well as a meeting and interview room.

Planning permission for the move was granted by South Cambridgeshire district council earlier this month.

It is expected the old police station will be demolished, with the land being used for social housing. However, Melbourn parish council has in the past expressed a wish that the site should also house some kind of community facilities.