FIFTEEN police stations are set to close in Essex.

Dozens of other buildings owned by Essex Police could also be sold as the force looks to find more than £60million in savings by 2020.

A consultation has been launched following the revelations at a press conference at police headquarters yesterday.

By Aprill 2016, if approved, only ten stations will remain open to the public across the county with another five being kept as operating bases.

Witham and Halstead are among those likely to be closed and sold with Harwich set to close to the public but remain as a base for officers.

The closures are expected to save £5million a year in maintenance costs.

The money could help save some police officer posts.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston claimed £30million is needed to bring the estate up to scratch and the money could be better spent elsewhere.

He said £2million is needed each year just to keep the estate functioning.

In total about 50 of the 80 buildings owned are earmarked for sale.

Instead of police buildings the force is hoping to have more mobile officers and make better use of technology.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh rebuffed suggestions rural communities are being abandoned stating “buildings don't keep people safe my officers do”.

He said: “My officers don’t have the technology they need. They are operating in the 1950s.

“The way to keep people safe is not through buildings but by getting officers in the right place with the right technology.

“We will have community hubs and this is not Essex Police disappearing from local communities.”

Mr Alston said: “Every building I keep means fewer officers.

“I recognise the concerns people in rural communities will have but police officers don’t operate from the stations anymore.”

He admitted the technological and signal limitations in rural areas was a concern and a problem Essex Police need to work on if the changes are going to work.