NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has visited the site of the Force’s new operational headquarters for a progress update, as part of her commitment to modernising and improving the force’s service and response to the public.

Plans for a new headquarters were unveiled by Northumbria Police last summer and a successful planning application was made to North Tyneside Council to transform one of the buildings at Cobalt Business Park.

The new facility is set to provide a new working environment for various teams by May 2027. This includes a new home for the communications and command teams – centralising all of the Force’s emergency call handlers – as well as bringing the Force’s new officer training into one location.

The move is part of a long-term estate efficiency and improvement programme, overseen by the PCC, aimed at transforming the current estate which requires significant modernisation and the continued investment in ageing buildings is expensive and unsustainable.

The current headquarters on Middle Engine Lane will be kept as an investigative hub while refurbishments are already under way or proposed for a number of other buildings to bring them up to standard.

Meanwhile, the ageing Ponteland site, which currently houses call handlers, training and some other functions, needs significant investment and will be sold to help fund the improvement programme.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“It was good to see investment being put into action with refurbishment plans taking shape that will provide a modern base to help our police force to do its job – and deliver the best service possible for local people.

“In my Police and Crime Plan, I prioritise delivering an engaged and responsive police force and to do this we need suitable offices and workspaces that meet the standards required of modern-day policing.

“The Force’s strategy seeks to provides value for money, bring improvements around sustainability and support efficient and effective policing. I will continue to monitor how we are delivering on this. With good, long-term planning we are not only making the force fit for the future but also making future savings that will allow for money to go back into local, frontline policing.”

ENDS