New police base in Abergavenny formally opened

Gwent Police’s new facility in Abergavenny has been formally opened by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, on Monday (16 December).

The facility, just off the A465 in Llanfoist, acts as a base for neighbourhood policing teams and Gwent Police’s response units. Its location was chosen so that officers can easily cover Abergavenny town centre on foot, while response cars have good access to local road networks for urgent calls.

Abergavenny’s station enquiry desk will remain at the shared resource hub in Abergavenny Town Hall which is a more accessible location for local residents.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “We know the public wants to see neighbourhood policing increased and for services to be properly resourced to tackle crime.

“That’s why we have announced that we will recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs to do just that.

“The new police station in Abergavenny will ensure that the local Gwent Police officers have a visible base in the town and can help keep the streets safe.

“Officers and the Welsh public can be clear that the UK Government will support police to make the improvements they need.”

The Gwent Police estate is the responsibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd. She said: “I would like to thank the Secretary of State for formally opening our new police base in Abergavenny. This new facility, combined with the service desk in Abergavenny Town Hall, provides the best of both worlds; an accessible location for residents to access face to face services, and a modern operational base for officers and staff.

“Ensuring that Gwent Police has the resources and facilities it needs to prioritise a visible policing presence in our communities is one of the commitments I have made to the people of Gwent. The new base will enable Gwent Police to increase its visibility in Abergavenny and the surrounding area and provide local teams with a base that is fit for the future.”

Officers and staff from Gwent Police’s neighbourhood and response teams will be based in the building which is one of Gwent Police’s greenest to date, having received excellent status from BREEAM – a world leading science-based certification systems for sustainable built environment.

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough said: “By locating our neighbourhood and response teams at this new police base, we are improving our visibility in Abergavenny and nearby areas.

“Enhancing our neighbourhood provision and increasing visibility in our communities is a key priority for me. We aim to strengthen our links with our communities to be able to better address their concerns and ultimately make our streets safer.”

Multi-disciplinary consultancy firm Pick Everard was behind the scheme, operating through Perfect Circle to deliver project management and NEC supervisor services alongside contractor Willmott Dixon. Accelerated under the SCAPE Consultancy framework, the completed project has been rated BREEAM Excellent and was recognised at the National Considerate Constructors Scheme for its positive impact on the region.

Thomas Bean, senior project manager at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a highly rewarding project to bring a key policing hub in Wales up to modern standards. It required our expertise to help navigate brownfield land development and build a facility that would serve the region effectively. The new base was also crucial for public confidence, with a location close to the town centre and the A465, enabling rapid vehicle response.

“Now complete, the station provides a functional and practical modern workplace for officers and staff. As Gwent police’s greenest station to date, the new scheme sets a new benchmark for balancing operational needs with sustainable credentials.”