The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner is set to make a public statement on the future of Tunbridge Wells Police Station.

Matthew Scott said his announcement will come "soon" and he would not reveal any details to Kent Live this week.

Depending how clear Mr Scott is with the taxpaying public  - what he says could end around 10 years of uncertainty surrounding the police station in Crescent Road.

It will also make the future clearer for police officers and other staff who have witnessed many of their number controversially moved to Tonbridge.

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Mr Scott would not answer our specific questions but his office said the station was "not on the market".

Kent Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott
Kent Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott

The 1930s station has a magistrates' court which closed in 2000 and redundant custody cells and exercise yard.

Kent Live understands around six years ago the force was considering closing Tunbridge Wells Police Station. And until quite recently, there was an idea to create a hub where other emergency services might also be based. North Farm was one site being considered, we believe.

The station site is important because along with the Assembly Hall, Town Hall and Calverley Terrace - it makes up a large parcel of potentially redevelopable land.

This is emphasised in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council planning documents as it is described as an "area of change".  The council states the station could be "surplus to police requirements in the future" and could be part of a redevelopment.

The former magistrates court is accessed via the police station entrance and it closed in 2000

If the council builds a theatre and council offices in Calverley Grounds, it would seek to sell the Assembly Hall and Town Hall. The council owns Calverley Terrace, so adding the police station to this portfolio means it could be sold as one site.

Kent Live understands the council has previously approached police bosses to buy the police station.

A council spokesman said: "We have looked at this site in the past because it is part of the civic complex, given its proximity to our buildings this is good estate management."

The former borough commander Dave Pate spoke to us about the station where he was based until his retirement in late 2017.

He criticised relocation of the station out of the town centre, saying its position meant "effective policing of night life" and quicker response on foot in town, including to incidents in shops. 

"It would be a negative thing for the borough and set policing apart from the community it serves," he said.

The impressive Calverley Terrace is next to the police station in Crescent Road

He added: "The fabric of the police station is dated but with some investment again, it has been somewhat starved of upkeep as the concept of selling it has been muted for years, the building can serve as a good base for officers. The location is vital."

He said when he retired most of the officers who he had fought to locate in Tunbridge Wells, those who respond to crime and emergency calls, were moved back to Tonbridge.

"The police station in Crescent Road was not located there by chance. With a busy shopping area, vibrant nightlife and key tourist interests such as the Pantiles, local policing is vital to deter and detect crime," he said.

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