WOODBRIDGE police station is to close as part of a new county policing strategy forced upon Suffolk Constabulary by multi-million pound cuts.

Although the station is expected to be shut by early next year, senior officers have assured residents there will still be a Safer Neighbourhood Team police presence in the town.

It is understood officers are likely to be based at Suffolk Coastal District Council’s premises in Melton Hill.

Suffolk Constabulary had said in the past it would be looking at closing many traditional-style stations around the county in favour of finding premises it could share with local authorities.

Earlier this year Framlingham police station in Badingham Road closed, with officers moving into an extension to the nearby fire station site in Saxmundham Road.

The changes are part of a wholesale review of how policing in the county operates, and the drive to save around �13.6million over a four-year period due to government funding cuts.

Chief Superintendent David McDonnell said: “Woodbridge Police Station is an ageing building located on the outskirts of the town.

“It will require significant maintenance expenditure in the years ahead.

“A decision has been made, as part of the estates strategy, to sell the station, to generate income for the Constabulary.

“The needs of our communities are central to decisions that affect the location of where they can visit their local police.

“As such, the Safer Neighbourhood Team will remain in Woodbridge, based at a location closer to the town centre than the existing police station, where there will continue to be public access.

“We are currently looking at sharing accommodation with a public sector partner, to provide a cost-effective solution.

“People requiring our assistance will continue to receive the same level of service as they do now, as the same number of response officers will continue to patrol Woodbridge as part of the local policing command covering the Felixstowe/Woodbridge area.

“While exact timescales are still being developed, these changes will come into effect early in 2012.”