St Albans police station is to become a half empty office block under plans sneaked out by the Police Commissioner just after the elections. There will be no front desk so if you need to hand in a document or speak to someone face to face, you’ll have to drive to Hemel.

Deputy Leader of the St Albans Liberal Democrat Group, Chris White said: ‘There was a plan to get rid of large police stations and get the police closer to residents in shop fronts in various parts of the district.

‘The closure of the front desk by contrast is the worst of all possible worlds – the police will become remoter than ever and yet continue to occupy a valuable building in central St Albans which could have been sold off to provide more money for policing.’

Chris has pledged to write to the Conservative Police Commissioner to express opposition to the move and to demand that there is a proper consultation with local residents and councillors.