Police Authority approve plans to develop Barrow police estate - despite £20m savings needed

Cumbria’s Police Authority has approved plans to develop the police estate in Barrow-in-Furness. Cumbria Constabulary presented a business proposal for consideration at a Cumbri Police Authority meeting held at the end of March in Police Headquarters, Penrith, which sets out a plan to build a new police station in Barrow. This proposal was put forward due to the current condition of the police station which has fallen below acceptable standards and has insufficient cell capacity.

The plans are being considered extremely sensitively during a time when the
Constabulary has to make £20million savings by 2013/14. However, it is considered
that the development of the police station is essential in order for the Constabulary to
sustain its estate and continue providing a safe and high quality service to the local
community in the future.

Cumbria Police Authority’s Chair, Ray Cole, said: “The business case put forward
includes a range of options for the development of the police estate in Barrow and
the Police Authority has given its approval of the investment.

“There are now different options that the Authority will consider and each carries
estimated costings ranging from £7million-£8.5 million. This is a considerable amount
of money– especially at a time when the Constabulary is under so much financial
pressure – however it has been widely recognised that Barrow police station in its
current state is unacceptable and unsustainable.

“It is anticipated that the savings identified during the on-going police estate review
and generated from the sales of police buildings in Cumbria will be re-invested by the
Police Authority into this project to future-proof the police estate.”

Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: “The Police Authority and the Chief Officer Team
are responsible for ensuring that officers and staff have a safe environment to work
in so that they can provide a high quality service to local communities.

“Careful consideration and in-depth reviews of the police estate in Cumbria have
been on-going for some time and it is recognized that Barrow police station is a
priority for development due to its current sub-standard state.

“Investing in the police estate in Barrow at a time when the Constabulary is striving to
make significant savings is a big decision, but one that is necessary for the future of
Cumbria Constabulary.