ABERGAVENNY's police station may close as part of a brutal budget-cutting exercise by senior officers.

The Tudor Street facility is known to be in the firing line as the constabulary gets to grips with its continued shrinkage of funds from central government.

It's feared the local cop shop could go the way of its next-door neighbour, the magistrates court, which shut 18 months ago shortly after undergoing a costly refurbishment.

News of the station's precarious future surfaced when the town's new police chief - Inspector Huw Jones - was asked by town councillors whether there was any truth in the rumour that the 60s-built station was closing.

Police presence

Insp Jones confirmed there was some veracity in the suggestion with "bosses looking at possible closure."

But he stressed, that whatever the outcome of their deliberations, a strong police presence in the town would be maintained.

"There will be no removal of police visibility in Abergavenny," he told councillors at their monthly meeting.

Cost-cutting is reckoned to be at the heart of the decision to consider the future viability of the town's station.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Ian Johnston, said, "There are currently no plans to close Abergavenny Police Station - but we are engaged in the early stages of discussions with Monmouthshire County Council around the potential of sharing business premises with them in the centre of the town."

He added, "Ensuring Gwent Police has a strong presence in the heart of the communities it serves is important where reassuring and engaging with the public is concerned.

"I want to make it clear to members of the public that we will still have a presence in the centre of Abergavenny, whatever the outcome."

He told the Chronicle on Tuesday, "The reality is that we have to be more flexible and agile to meet local requirements.

"We are working to a tight budget here in Gwent and I have to be mindful of that. At a time when budgets are shrinking and demand for our services increases, we need to work with partners in the community in order to continue to provide these essential services."

Town Hall

No shutdown time-table or alternative venues have yet been mentioned, but town councillor John Prosser felt the Town Hall could be a "fantastic" choice if it established itself as a "hub" which also roped in the library and a One Stop Shop.

The historic building's owners - Monmouthshire County Council - confirmed there had been "informal talks" with police about sharing premises within the town. No specific sites had been seriously considered.

The Town Hall had been mentioned only in the "broadest sense."

MCC's head of operations, Roger Hoggins, said negotiations about sharing accommodation with the force were very much in their early stages.

"It's gone no further than just informal conversations with police," he said this week.

Former Mayor Martin Hickman said he was shocked by the announcement that the police station could close.

"The news did come as a surprise. I thought the police were opening stations - not closing them.

"It remains to be seen whether they keep a good police presence in the town or not. We need to keep what we already have - that's for sure."