Police stations set for £15m facelift

Local police buildings should have a more professional and welcoming appearance, according to Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon who intends to launch a £15m modernisation programme.

Mr Salmon says the buildings should provide a source of reassurance and sense of pride to residents who have been asked to play a part in creating the new look.

Mr Salmon said: “We need buildings which reflect the pride people have in their police and the pride officers have in their service.

“Many of our police buildings are tired, old fashioned and poorly used. They struggle to do their job cost-effectively and reflect badly on officers and the communities which use them.”

The public views came in a survey which Mr Salmon ran this summer with more than 800 responses to questions including the future of police buildings.

He said the results suggest a preference for attractive, open buildings, a smart simple entrance and traditional colours with the public opting for a welcoming, calm interior with minimal barriers but protection for staff.

Mr Salmon said: “I’m grateful to people for their time in filling out these surveys.

“Our buildings - or parts of buildings where we share them - should be recognisable and reassuring. They are part of our communities.

“I want them to be simple, clean and functional so they can serve the public and be a source of local pride.

“My modernisation plan represents investment in the future for the police and public.

“We should end up with more accessible policing services. We’ll consider a range of options from owned or rented space, to franchised stations owned by community councils or local business and partnerships with other organisations.

“We need simple principles we can apply to the great variety of places we serve: villages and towns, countryside and shopping mall, streets and homes, pubs and farms.”

Mr Salmon said he is working on a plan to deliver police buildings which:

·         improve civic pride and the status of police officers;

·         welcome and respect the public;

·         are recognisable, reassuring and reflect policing tradition;

·         encourage communication between police and public;

·         calm visitors and simplify the work of officers;

·         increase the sense of public ownership of the police.