Preperations are well under way for Honiton Police Station to reopen to the public in early 2024.

Honiton's mayor and deputy mayor, Helen Hurford and Tony McCullum respectively, as well as Honiton's MP Richard Foord, were shown around the station and met with Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez.

L - R: Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, Richard Foord MP, Mayor of Honiton Helen Hurford and Inspector Phil Gray (Nub News)

The station is set to reopen its enquiry desk after being closed for nearly a decade.

Refurbishment of the reception area and the office (which is currently used as a gym for police officers) is about to begin and is expected to be completed around Christmas time. The enquiry desk will open shortly afterwards.

Honiton's Police Station closed in 2014 due to budgetary cuts. Since then, it has been closed to the public but has remained an operational base for Devon and Cornwall. 

The area which will become the enquiry desk and waiting area (Nub News)

In March it was announced that the station would reopen for members of the public to make enquiries and report crimes. 

Devon and Cornwall Police have recruited enquiry officers to work at the station. Three people have been hired to work part-time and they are currently going through a training period.

Other stations which were given funding for reopening include Devonport, Looe, Illfracombe, Okehampton and Kingsbridge. 

Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, has made it her priority to reopen the stations and to connect with the community. 

She said: "If someone has been a victim of a crime, they are often in distress and need to speak to someone face-face.

"We're really pleased to be opening in Honiton, especially as it is such a busy town.

"Even if the enquiry desk at the station helps even just one person in the aftermath of a crime, I'd consider it a success. We want to give people confidence in the police."

Richard Foord added: "It is refreshing to see the station reopening when so many other things are closing or going online only. This is such good news for Honiton."

The station will be open from 10am until 3pm six days a week.

If it proves popular with the public, there is scope for the hours to be extended.