Southend's police chief has vowed to safeguard front-line work in the community with a new £2million station on the outskirts of Leigh.

Chief Supt Mick Thwaites spoke as plans moved swiftly ahead for the new base for the west of Southend, near Leigh fire station in Mountdale Gardens.

Peter Wexham, Leigh's Lib Dem representative on Southend Council, called for the existing Leigh station, in Elm Road, to be converted into a one-stop surgery for the police to maintain their presence in the town.

However, Mr Thwaites said: "What I am very keen on, not only in Leigh but across the borough, is that where the community are, we are.

"Obviously we will have the three main stations in Southend, Leigh and Westcliff, but in addition we would like to have these one-stop shop, surgery-type centres.

"If we are offered the old police station as a facility, and that is the best option, we would take up that offer."

Mr Wexham said: "Leigh police station used to be Leigh Urban Town Council offices in 1911. It is a lovely building with stained glass windows and the Leigh crest on it.

"It belongs to Southend Council, so it's really a community-type building."

He said he appreciated the need for change and modernisation.

Published Monday, December 16, 2002

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