A CEREMONY is planned for tomorrow to mark the beginning of the construction of a new police station in Dunmow. A turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of the building work will take place at 11.45am tomorrow, at the field next to the Hoblong s Industri

A CEREMONY is planned for tomorrow to mark the beginning of the construction of a new police station in Dunmow.

A turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of the building work will take place at 11.45am tomorrow, at the field next to the Hoblong's Industrial Estate on Chelmsford Road.

Chairman of the Essex Police Authority, which is paying for the police station, Robert Chambers, will cut the turf at the special ceremony.

Mayor of Dunmow, Councillor Frank Silver, welcomed the news.

He said: "It's very good news - about time really. Having the new police station built is a very positive move for Dunmow."

The new police station is likely to cost around £5million and should be ready by the end of July 2007.

Essex Police Authority Press and PR Officer Kate Batson said: "We felt the need to replace Dunmow's existing police station, which is 150 years old, as the area's really grown in the last few years.

"There's been a lot more housing built, obviously Stansted Airport's added to demand, and the town's station needs updating."

It has not yet been decided how many staff will be in the station at any one time.

Mrs Batson said: "We're moving towards not having any actual police officers manning the station at all, just other members of staff or volunteers.

"The chief constable, Roger Baker, wants to get as much of a visible presence on the streets as possible, and that means taking them out from behind desks."

The fate of Dunmow's existing police station is unclear, although it will remain in use until its replacement is ready.

Mrs Batson said: "What happens to the old station is a matter for the police authority to decide on further down the line.