Durham Constabulary's new £26.3 million state-of-the-art Investigative Hub near Spennymoor(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Inside Durham Constabulary's new £26.3m police centre with UK's most advanced custody suite

by · ChronicleLive

A new police centre has been hailed as a "game-changer" for the area following its launch.

Durham Constabulary unveiled the newly built hub near Spennymoor, stating it will save the force thousands of police hours and boasts one of the UK's most advanced custody facilities.

The £26.3 million complex features 48 cells spread over four wings, including a section dedicated to providing enhanced care for vulnerable individuals, such as children. Its design, with multiple custody desks, allows for the simultaneous processing of several suspects, hastening the return of officers to frontline duties.

Further to this, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a base for specialist detective teams, the crime scene investigation unit, evidence storage, and the firearms licensing department. Though beleaguered by delays and fiscal scrutiny, the site officially opened on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in local law enforcement infrastructure advancement.

Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine, commenting on the opening day, emphasised: "It’s a game-changer in terms of detainee safety and our ability to conduct modern and effective investigations."

In a significant first step, detainees from the Peterlee area were admitted into the Thinford site on Thursday.

The installation of the new centre comes in response to critiques aimed at the previous custodial conditions provided by Durham City, Darlington, and Peterlee Police Stations. An investigation highlighted the necessity for considerable improvements which were deemed too expensive and impractical to implement at the old locations, according to Mr Ivine.

Peterlee Police Station will be retained as a contingency. Response and neighbourhood policing teams based at Durham City and Bishop Auckland police stations will also continue to operate locally, with public access to these services unaffected by the new hub.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen previously dismissed claims the site is a “white elephant” and praised its impact on policing.

“The hub is a huge achievement for Durham and will have a far-reaching impact on the day-to-day work of our officers, ultimately improving the service the public receives,” she said.

“With the aid of a new medical facility, reducing the need to move prisoners to and from hospital, the hub is likely to save several thousand hours of police time each year, maximising the time officers can spend fighting crime in our communities which is a priority for everyone who lives or works in County Durham and Darlington."

ChronicleLive photographer Craig Connor took a look around the site before the first detainees were admitted.

Durham Constabulary's new £26.3 million state-of-the-art Investigative Hub near Spennymoor,(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
A virtual court room with audio and visual links for remote court appearances(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
A VIPER secure video identification parade device(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
The building will also house specialist detective teams(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)