This year, a new police station will open in Shepton Mallet, based at Haskins Retail Centre in the town centre.

Shepton Mallet police station will house an enquiry office open to the public, as well as a base for the local neighbourhood policing team and the patrol team for the Mendips. It is expected to open in Summer/Autumn 2019.

The move confirms the commitment to keep the local neighbourhood policing team in the heart of the community. The new police station will replace the current neighbourhood police base at Mendip District Council.

In the Mendip area there is also a need for a police station to house patrol officers who respond to the 999 and 101 calls received every day. The new police station in Shepton Mallet will provide this base, located close to the main roads and the demand faced. Patrol officers from Wells and Frome will move to Shepton Mallet.

Chief Inspector, Sharon Baker, said: “The new police station will provide a hub for our police officers and PCSOs in the Mendips, and we are looking forward to having a central and visible base.

“These plans do not affect the number of officers or PCSOs in the community, who will continue to work as they currently do. In fact, they are becoming more visible by increasingly patrolling on foot and by bike, and completing paperwork in the community using laptops.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, said: “I’m pleased we can finally announce our plans, which include a new purpose-built station in Shepton Mallet fit for today’s policing, as well as a continued focus to remain in our core areas. My commitment to residents is to protect local policing numbers including the officers and PCSOs that serve the Mendip area. We are able to do this, while also releasing money from our over-sized, under-utilised buildings, and investing in the latest technology to make policing responsive to local people’s needs, by being as mobile and accessible as possible.”