£9m upgrade works at Wolverhampton Police Station begin as site remains open - but some teams are transferred
Wolverhampton Police Station is being upgraded in £9m works and remains open - but some teams are being transferred to Wednesfield and Bilston
West Midlands Police has announced that a £9m refurbishment of Wolverhampton Central police station has started.
The force has stated that the work on the Bilston Street site will take 16 months to complete - and that the station will remain open and operational throughout all that time.
However some teams are being transferred to Wednesfield and Bilston.
The aim, once the work is complete, is for the site to have better victim facilities, provide officers with a modern workplace and safeguard the long-term future of the city centre building.
Speaking about the refurbishment, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, said: “These essential works represent a major investment in policing in Wolverhampton and this iconic building.
“Every penny will be spent wisely, with local businesses and local people benefitting from this injection of cash into the local economy.
“Policing has changed considerably since the station opened 33-years ago, especially our focus on victims - which is more important now than ever. The work which is underway includes improvements to victim care facilities as well as staff areas.”
Henry Brothers, who have been appointed to carry out the renovation will employ local people including apprentices, ploughing money back into the local economy.
The building - which has not been updated since it was opened by Princess Diana on 31 July 1992 - requires substantial essential work including replacing windows, installing a new heating/cooling system, repairing leaks and damp, creating new victim care rooms, insulating the building, installing solar panels and LED lighting to reduce energy and more.
Safety and security systems will be upgraded while an employee cafe will be built on site and managed by a local non-profit organisation.
The aim is for the charity to provide training and work for people who have historically been excluded from the local job market including people who have experienced homelessness, disabled people and people with no formal qualifications. It’s a model which has been successfully implemented in other areas of West Midlands Police and proven popular with officers.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg, responsible for policing across the whole of Wolverhampton, said: “I’ve been really clear that operational policing must not be affected while the refurbishment takes place. Our brilliant officers and staff will be going out of their way to make that happen.
“To minimise disruption, some teams have been temporarily moved to Wednesfield and Bilston police bases, where they continue to serve the city’s communities while the remainder continue to work from Wolverhampton Central.”
Cash for the £9 million critical works comes from making better use of our estate, reducing energy consumption and other cost savings that have made us more efficient and more effective, such as the introduction of robotics to automate administrative processes and artificial intelligence to answer all non-emergency calls.
Money for the works can only be spent on buildings and equipment, and not officers.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “I am pleased that we have secured the long-term future of Wolverhampton police station through this vital investment. This is a clear indication of my commitment to neighbourhood policing, to ensure officers and staff have the facilities they need, to provide the public with an effective and efficient police service.
“By modernising the police station, we are not only improving working conditions for our hard-working police officers and staff but also enhancing the service we provide to victims of crime and the wider community.
“This investment is part of my wider strategy, to ensure that West Midlands Police is fit for policing in the 21st century, with an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence, based in the communities it serves – preventing and tackling crime and keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.”
Managing Director of Henry Brothers Construction, Ian Taylor, said: “We are very pleased to be starting work on this scheme to refurbish Wolverhampton Central police station, as we take great pride in working alongside our bluelight clients. The creation of a more modern police station will provide improved facilities for West Midlands Police and allow officers to better service the local community.”
Councillor Stephen Simkins, the Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We warmly welcome this investment, which is fantastic news for Wolverhampton. It not only secures the future of a landmark building but also strengthens our commitment to community safety, inclusion and regeneration, will boost the local economy and ensure our the police have the modern facilities they need to serve our city.”
You can find out more about the history of policing in Wolverhampton at our award winning museum where you can also buy the book Wolverhampton Borough Police 1848-1966.
Plan your visit now at: museum.west-midlands.police.uk
