The police station in Watford could be closed to make way for flats.

A pre-application, seen exclusively by the Watford Observer, suggests building 55 flats where the magistrates court and police station currently are in Shady Lane.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has always said it would keep a police office in the town, despite closing the custody cells in 2015.

Watford Observer:

The magistrates court in Shady Lane

The closure means hundreds of people arrested in south west Hertfordshire are now being driven to Hatfield – which can take up to two hours.

The police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, David Lloyd told the Observer that the plan was to have at least one police station in each of the 10 districts in the county.

He added: "The existing Watford police station requires significant investment in order to remain operational in the long term.

"The closure of the adjoining Magistrates Court has presented us with a good opportunity to work with the Ministry of Justice and the local council to develop proposals for how best to use the existing site.

Watford Observer:

"A joint proposal – submitted by consultants on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, my office and the Constabulary – will allow a business case to be made to see what uses the site could have in the future.

"This will ensure we have a modern and fit-for-purpose police station in Watford, either at this location or another in the town centre.”

The magistrates court closed in June 2015 as part of government savings.

Decisions to close police stations ultimately lie with the chief constable but the police and crime commissioner dictates the level of policing he wants to see in a given borough.

Mr Lloyd has already closed stations in St Albans, Hertsmere and Three Rivers.

The official planning application is due to be submitted to Watford Borough Council in the next few weeks.