The refurbishment of Merseyside Police ’s busiest operational station is expected to be complete by next spring.
Work is continuing on the 50-year old St Anne Street station as part of the force’s 10 year plan to save around a quarter of a million pounds a year on running costs. A renovation of the site, which first opened in 1972, got underway in February.
It was thought the building, which had run into disrepair, was costing the force more than £3.5m in repairs to keep it going. A ceremony was held on site today to mark the completion of steel work for the additional floor of the building.
READ MORE: Rec ground's 16-year campaign to improve safety comes to fruition
Work will now begin on kitting out the six-storey location that will house teams including Local Policing, Protecting Vulnerable People, Investigations and Fingerprints. St Anne Street is in an important strategic location, attached to Merseyside Police’s busiest custody suite and next to the force’s state-of-the-art new headquarters, Rose Hill.
Once completed it will boast a similar look to Rose Hill, creating a campus feel across the site, as well as being much more sustainable and economical to run. It is expected the renovated station will be ready to re-open for business in May 2023.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police Commissioner, and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy signed steel beams on site to commemorate the latest phase of work. Mrs Spurrell said: “It’s incredible to see how St Anne Street police station has been transformed in the last six months.
“This station has faithfully served Merseyside Police for more than 50 years, but sadly it was in a poor state of repair, out-dated and becoming very costly to run. It was estimated it needed at least £3.6m of repairs just to keep it running.
“This major refurbishment project was long overdue. It will help to ensure St Anne Street is fit and future-proofed to serve officers, PCSOs and staff and our communities for many years to come.
“Our police service needs modern facilities and equipment which will make them as effective and efficient as possible. The refurbishment of St Anne St is yet another example of the determination the Chief Constable and I share to provide the officers and staff of Merseyside Police with the best possible facilities to help them fight crime now and into the future.”
Chief Con Kennedy added: “The refurbishment of St Anne Street police station puts the force right back at the heart of the community, with a modern building that is affordable and sustainable. It is vital that our officers and staff can work in buildings that are fit for purpose and suitable for policing in the 21st century.”
The project was part funded by capital specifically set aside for the force’s buildings and part borrowed from approved sources, in accordance with the Prudential Code for capital finance. This money is completely separate from the funding used to pay for Merseyside’s Police’s officers and staff and cannot be diverted to fund operational policing.
All the money saved on the cost of running St Anne Street Police Station will be directed straight into frontline policing. As part of the PCC and Chief Constable’s commitment to social value, more than 50% of the workforce and resources deployed on the project have come from within Merseyside. In addition, nine apprentice jobs have been created.
READ NEXT
Shoppers 'forced to buy' fake Chanel and Hugo Boss perfume filled with urine
Man stabbed multiple times in city centre as two men arrested
Arriva buses could return this week as crunch strike vote held
Cars miss mobility scooter by inches as video captures reckless rider
