Nearly 40 years of police history has come to an end in Dartford.

Officers and staff have now moved from the police station in Instone Road to a contact point at the Civic Centre in Home Gardens.

The station has been based there since the 1970's.

The move was made Kent Police after discussions with Dartford council.

Police will now work alongside the council's community safety unit, which has been based at the Civic Centre since 2007.

A new contact point for people to speak to police will be open on Mondays to Friday, from 8am to 8pm on Saturday from 8am to 6pm and 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

Chief Inspector Philip Painter said: "Experience has shown that providing joint public enquiry facilities improves public service and Kent Police has had a permanent police presence working alongside Dartford Borough Council through the Dartford Community Safety Unit for a few years now."

In 2008 outline planning permission was given to turn the former police station into a development of flats and houses.