The firm is said to have beaten rivals Laing O’Rourke and Wates for the job, according to sources close to the project. This could be the first of a bigger pipeline of work for the force.

The planned three-storey building will include changing accommodation, a gym, an armoury and equipment stores on the ground floor, with office accommodation for specialist units on the top two floors.

It forms part of a 10-year programme worth £130m to update and improve the force’s buildings, while saving running costs on the estate.

The Merseyside Police force is also looking into the feasibility of relocating from its Albert Bock headquarters while Huyton Station will be expanded and upgraded into an area HQ.

The plan will also provide community police stations for each neighbourhood and save £2.5m every year on the cost of running the present police estate.

Merseyside Police’s estate currently consists of 78 buildings, with an average age of 52 years and some dating as far back as 1890.