Watford's police officers are to be based in the town centre after the green light was given to relocate the police station.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has received permission to open a police station inside an office building in George Street, which means it will move from its current home in Shady Lane.

The current police station near Watford Junction train station is destined to become housing which meant Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd needed to find a new home.

The site that was found by the force is just behind Watford High Street and in a much better position to patrol and respond to incidents in the town centre.

Watford Borough Council granted planning permission on September 13 to change the use of the George Street building into a police station, with council papers stating not too much is planned to change inside.

The new police station will maintain a front counter service but there will be no custody suite.

The George Street police station will have parking for 30 police vehicles with 35 spaces for staff and 40 cycling spaces. There is no visitor parking proposed.

The new station will also sit just around the corner from Watford County & Family Court, which is moving from Cassiobury House in Station Road into Royalty House in King Street.

In the summer, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office said the current police station in Shady Lane has "reached the end of its economic life" and "no longer fit for modern policing needs".

The police are reportedly set to move into the new three-storey building in around a year’s time.

Mr Lloyd said in the summer: "Throughout this process it has been crucial to find a suitable property which maintains a police station in the town centre.

"The location means it is close to the High Street ensuring officer foot patrols can be conducted easily, while it is also close to the ring road enabling a rapid vehicle response.

"The new site also has provision for a front counter service to be maintained. It will also mean more environmentally friendly measures can be installed such as charging points for electric vehicles."