Downpatrick’s new state-of-the-art police station will be operational from 9am on Monday November 30 2015.
The facility, which replaces the Irish Street PSNI Station which will cease to operate, cost £11 million to build and took 26 months to complete.
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Area Commander Superintendant Simon Walls.[/caption]
The new Downpatrick PSNI Station is situated on the north-west corner of the old Downshire Hospital estate on the Ardglass Road. From November 27 until the new station is officially open, anyone wishing to call at a station to sign bail or for any other official reason is asked to visit the Irish Street PSNI Station.
The new station’s enquiry office will be open to members of the public from 8am until 8pm every weekday and 2pm to 8pm at weekends. Officers from the Local Policing Team will use it as their operational base while on patrol in Downpatrick, Newcastle and surrounding areas within Newry Mourne and Down Policing District. It will be closed to the public at lunch times from 1pm to 2pm and will be closed on Public Holidays.
District Commander Simon Walls said: “In a time of budget cuts and austerity this is some good news for the community of Down and also the PSNI officers that help keep them safe. The previous station at Irish Street served the PSNI and the RUCGC admirably for many years through some very troubled times. Due to its age and design it required continual expensive maintenance work so it could remain as an operational base for officers. However the cramped facilities there fall short of what is needed for policing in the 21st century.
“We have always said that policing is not about buildings and this remains the case, however, it is important that officers and staff work in an environment that allows them to carry out their various duties effectively.
Commander Walls added: “The new station is a vital addition to policing in Newry Mourne and Down Policing District. It has modern facilities and offices and better parking for staff. Access for members of the public is excellent. While it has been designed with ease of use for officers, staff and members of the public, security measures are in place to counter any terrorist threat. The safety of all officers and staff and members of the public while they are in this building is of paramount importance to the PSNI.
“Policing in the modern era with financial pressures requires a new collaborative approach between police, the community and statutory bodies. I am delighted that we have these new facilities for the people of Newry Mourne and Down District and I am confident it will help officers keep people safe while policing with the community.”
Other departments based at the new station include detectives from the Reactive Organised Crime Unit and Reducing Offending Unit. Civilian Police support staff will also work within the station in a number of frontline and administrative roles.
Councillor Mickey Larkin, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Policing and Community Safety Partnership, said: “The PCSP welcomes the delivery of this long overdue project for the people of Downpatrick and surrounding area, coinciding as it does with recent changes in policing structures it provide a strong statement of support for the policing needs of the community.”
PCSP Vice Chair Dan McEvoy stated: “This is a positive step for local policing to have this new state-of-the-art facility finally opened and operational within Downpatrick.
“In addition to providing an operational base for our Local Policing Team it will provide a much more welcoming ‘face of policing’ for members of the public who may have cause to visit the new station. It further confirms that the PSNI recognise the importance of retaining a working Police Station within Downpatrick”
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