The Police and Crime Commissioner has unveiled a multi-million plan to save a town’s crumbling police station.

Matthew Scott has announced that a contract will go out to tender to upgrade Ashford Police Station in Tufton Street, where serious safety concerns have been raised.

Kent Police put up a safety scaffold around the building in 2015 after lumps of concrete fell from the six-storey building.

There were rumours that the building could be flattened to make way for a new station, either at the site or elsewhere in the town, sparking fears that Ashford could lose its police presence.

But Mr Scott now hopes to have ended the speculation over the building’s future. He said: “We will be staying in the same building, and maintaining our commitment to Ashford town centre as the town grows and develops.

“It is going to be a long term project, and it is my commitment that policing stays in the areas and communities that we serve.

“This made sense from the economic and operational point of view. I hope the news provides certainty for the officers and staff based at the station, as well as to the wider community.”

Video: Kent PCC discusses the future of Ashford Police Station

The news has been welcomed by both Ashford Borough Council leader Gerry Clarkson and Ashford MP Damian Green.

Cllr Clarkson said: “It is vitally important that a growing borough such as ours has a police presence in the heart of the town centre so this is very good news.”

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: “Staying at Tufton Street is the most pragmatic option available to us and we now focus our attention on developing the premises so we can continue to offer a first class service to the people of Ashford.”

A full report will be available in the Kentish Express on Thursday, January 25.