The HQ replace buildings no longer fit-for-purpose and is expected to save forces around £1m per year in running costs

Lancashire Constabulary has awarded a £24m contract to replace its current Bonny Street Police Station in Blackpool town centre with a headquarters located close to the M55. 

It follows a string of recent projects to create modern facilities for police forces in Newcastle, West Midlands, South Yorkshire and South Wales.

Designed by McBains Cooper Consultancy, the building will provide a base for local policing and immediate response teams as well as a public enquiry desk, investigations hub and 42 custody cells. It will also house a range of specialist teams serving the whole of the division.

The new HQ for its west division will cover Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, Lancaster and Morecambe and be located at the former Progress House site on Clifton Road.

The investment, which is the biggest in the force’s history, is being funded as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s capital programme.  

Willmott Dixon managing director for the north Anthony Dillon said that the firm had built a substantial track record in the last 18 months in the custodian sector.

To support the growing trend for larger facilities it has developed a standardised offering called CODE with a range of pre-designed custody suites to suit different police force budgets and requirements.

CODE models have been designed in partnership with NORR Architects, supply chain partners, the Home Office and over 20 different police forces to tackle issues such as minimising the risk of detainee injury, increasing security of evidence and providing a better working environment that is more efficient and sustainable.

“We’ll be taking our learning from other police forces and applying this experience here. We’ll also ensure the work benefits the local economy, with 20% spend within a ten mile radius rising to 75% spend within a 40 miles,” he added.