Officers from Cranleigh's Safer Neighbourhood Team have been welcomed into their new local base at Cranleigh Leisure Centre.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Jason Clifford has moved this week with the team of three police constables and four police community support officers from the former Cranleigh Police Station as the force continues to make changes to its estate following a review of police buildings.

The new policing post in Village Way ensures the team will be carrying on with business as usual within the town and its location, in close proximity, to partner agencies, will help joint working practices.

Sgt Clifford said: "I am delighted we have found a location that will keep a base for my officers in the heart of Cranleigh. One of the obvious benefits is that being in the leisure centre provides us with another venue for further regular planned engagement opportunities within the complex. It is an exciting move which places the Safer Neighbourhood Team in a busy hub within the community and we are keen to reassure residents that we will be out and about in their neighbourhoods as always.”

Sean Murphy, manager of the Leisure Centre said: "It's an excellent opportunity having Surrey Police located within the centre. It will mean the police will maintain a high profile within the community whilst we will benefit from having the police on our doorstep.

The estates change programme, which has seen some smaller stations identified as unfit for purpose and costly to run, is one of a number of changes which has enabled Surrey Police to make savings whilst recruiting an extra 200 police officers.