Having led a campaign for a permanent police base in Prestatyn town centre, and having worked closely with North Wales Police and Denbighshire County Council on the matter over a number of years, former Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies was thrilled to attend the official opening of the new police station today.
North Wales Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, working with Denbighshire County Council, developed part of a new building on the site of the former library on Nant Hall Road, which will be a 24hr base for response officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team. It will have a front counter open to the public Tuesday to Saturday.
Throughout his time as MP for the area, James repeatedly asked senior officers from North Wales Police to increase the visibility and accessibility of police services in Prestatyn, through the re-establishment of a permanent police base in the town centre.
In June 2022, he raised the matter in the House of Commons as a question to the Minister of State for Crime and Policing, when he said: “Neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour is better tackled with the police visibility and responsiveness that a town centre police station can provide”.
He also wrote to the Chief Constable, Amanda Blakeman, to request a meeting of key decision makers. This meeting took place in November 2023 and was positive, resulting in a breakthrough, with "in principle" support for a police base in Prestatyn.
In addition to engagement with the police on this issue, James held numerous discussions with officers from Denbighshire County Council on potential sites and the benefits of a police base to the authority’s Community Safety objectives. Cllr Hugh Irving (Prestatyn Central) was also instrumental in highlighting the matter within county council discussions.
Commenting following today’s official opening, James said:
“There have been concerns about police visibility in the town since the police were forced to move out of their former base within part of the former council offices at 6-8 Nant Hall Road, over five years ago.
“During my time as MP, I was contacted regularly by concerned residents and businesses who were eager for a police presence in the town centre.
“In my discussions with the police, I repeatedly highlighted the fact that there are much smaller towns in Denbighshire with a police station, and stressed that given Prestatyn's large population, and the influx of tourists in the summer months, a police station in Prestatyn town centre was much needed.
"As part of my campaign, I conducted a survey of residents and received an overwhelming response from over 1,000 people in support of permanent police base.
“Having worked closely with North Wales Police on this over a number of years, today’s opening was certainly a proud moment, and I am confident the new station will act as a deterrent to crime and be invaluable in terms of ensuring rapid physical response. It will without a doubt, make Prestatyn a safer place for all.”
