ESSEX Police have confirmed they will cease what limited use they make of the Tilbury Police Station building in the town and are preparing it for sale.

The station closed to the public in February 2016, a move that was controversial at the time as it came out of the blue, with then council leader Cllr John Kent angry at just three days notice of the closure to the public.

At the time he said: "I can't believe the police have taken this decision now. They know we are absolutely against the closure of both Ockendon and Tilbury police stations, yet they give us so little notice. It's despicable.

"Not only is it a slap in the face for the people of Tilbury and Thurrock, it's a slap in the face for their landlords – Thurrock Council owns the land and the building, so I've asked officers to check whether they're allowed to quit this way."

Since that closure the building has continued to be used by detectives, but that too is now to cease.

Cllr Kent's statement about ownership of the site and other comments in the public domain at the time created uncertainty about the ownership of the building, a matter Thurrock Nub News has sought to clarify this week, prompting today's statement by the force.

Thurrock Council, which it appears may now have transferred or gifted ownership previously to the police force, has declined to respond so far to our questions.

However, clarity appears to have been provided by Essex Police which says say that selling the building will be part of its 'continued ambitious programme to rationalise and modernise our estate'.

However, they stress operational coverage of the town will not be affected, saying: "Officers in our local policing teams, community policing teams and town centre teams have continued to police Tilbury and are out on the streets every day protecting residents, serving the public and victims and preventing and detecting crime."

Further information about the sale in a statement issued to Thurrock Nub News this morning (Saturday, 11 September) says: "Essex Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex continue to work hard to ensure the county's police stations are efficient and fit for the needs of modern policing both now and in the future.

"As we announced in 2015, the former police station in Civic Square, Tilbury, is now being prepared to go on the market.

"Essex Police continue to ensure our officers stay visible in communities for longer, are more accessible and we continue to invest in building our specialist capabilities to help keep the people of Essex safe.

"We continue to grow as a force and we expect the number of officers in Essex Police to exceed 3,500 by March 2022.

"The current police estate in Essex costs in the region of £10million a year in running costs but the buildings require around £30million of maintenance work to bring them up to standard.

"This money can be better invested in preventing and fighting crime by recruiting officers and investing in technology to help them do their job.

District Commander for Thurrock, Chief Insp Mark Barber, said: "Thurrock has already seen the investment in officers and staff and specifically the creation of the town centre teams and the Community Safety Engagement Officers who continue to work closely with their communities.

"But it's important to remember that police officers protect and serve communities, secure justice for victims and catch and lock up criminals - not buildings. Every day your officers are out in Tilbury working hard to keep you safe - the sale of a police building won't change that, you will continue to see your local officers out and about doing what they do best - protecting you."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, added: "We need to invest in a modern police force where officers can spend more time out in their communities not in stations completing paperwork.

"By rationalising our estate and investing in technology we can give our officers the tools to log and register crimes while they are out and about. We can help them become more visible and deliver a better service to the public."

Police added that residents wishing to visit a police station can do so at Grays which provides a front counter service from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. People can also report crime by phoning 101 or via the Essex Police website.