POLICE buildings in Prestatyn and Towyn face the axe in a cost-saving consultation.
North Wales Police has announced Towyn police station may close and administration staff in Prestatyn could be relocated to St Asaph to save £1.4 million annually.
Alun Lewis, chair of the North Wales Police Authority, said: “Our goal is to have an efficient police estate which operates at a reduced cost and meets the needs of the communities of North Wales and modern policing.
“We are under no illusion that some of the recommendations will not be welcomed. However we ask our communities in considering their response to this consultation to appreciate the aim of the review.”
Acting Chief Constable Ian Shannon said streamlining the police estate could mean the safeguarding of 30 officers.
He said: “It is a choice between people and property: we want to move towards a more efficient and cheaper estate so that we can retain more people to serve the public.”
According to the ongoing consultation, several buildings are “not fit for purpose”, the Prestatyn building being the oldest and least flexible of those under threat.
Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West and former member of the North Wales Police Authority, said: “Police stations can be extremely important in helping to reduce the fear of the crime for local residents - decisions to close them should not be taken lightly.
"Towyn is an extremely busy seaside resort which sees its population boom to more than 50,000 during the busy holiday season. Rather than close the station, North Wales Police Force should be increasing the scale of their operation in the area.”
William Knightly, Conwy County Borough Councillor for the Towyn ward, said this was not the first time that North Wales Police have brought forward plans to close Towyn police station. An attempt was made in 2006, but was ditched after a public outcry.