THE closure of Prudhoe police station looks to be imminent, with officers set to relocate to the town’s Spetchells Centre.

Northumbria Police are due to take over the space at the Spetchells Centre on Front Street at the end of October, but an exact date for the official move is yet to be confirmed.

The force has said their public inquiries desk will be located on the ground floor next to the Karbon Homes and librarian desks.

There is also an office space for police to use on the first floor.

The closure and relocation of Prudhoe police station is the last of the planned moves to take place across Tynedale, with Bellingham’s police station relocating to the fire station in 2014, followed by Haltwhistle and Ponteland in 2015. Corbridge police station also moved to the village’s middle school in 2015.

The moves were part of plans to help the force save up to £46m by the end of this year, due to Government cutbacks. Hexham was to be be the only station in the district to survive the axe. Sites have been being considered for the relocation of Prudhoe’s station as far back as the closures were announced, and Northumbria Police had previously said they were considering “several suitable options”.

Coun. Jennifer McGee, of Prudhoe Town Council, was one of those to raise concerns that the town council was not consulted before a decision was made to go ahead with the Spetchells Centre as the chosen location. She said a lack of information had been given to the public about the move, as well as there being confusion over where police vehicles would park.

Northumbria Police have since confirmed that they have reached an agreement with the Co-op allowing operational police vehicles to use its car park.

“I would have been good if we had been given all of the information and, as for the public. I don’t think they know about the move,” added Mrs. McGee. “People need to know what’s going on with the police station – it’s an important part of Prudhoe.”

Mayor of Prudhoe, Coun. Gerry Price said: “The police are going to be retaining a presence

“ It’s in a public building which is not the ideal situation. Most of us would prefer to see a self-standing police station but that doesn’t appear to be possible.”

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Prudhoe police station will be moving to a new location at the Spetchells Centre in Prudhoe – the date of this move has yet to be confirmed but will be communicated with local residents and businesses when known and opening times will remain the same.”