New policing hub plans for St Helens and station for Earlestown

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner and Chief Constable are unveiling a refreshed 12-year plan to continue the transformation of the force’s stations and buildings.

It also includes major new police hubs in St Helens, Wirral, Knowsley and new police stations in Southport and Newton-le-Willows.

All of these are due to be completed in the next five years.

The definition of what a policing hub is have not been not clearly defined in the force's announcement, although it is likely the development will replace or update the existing College Street station as the town's police headquarters.

Earlier this month marked the 50th anniversary of the St Helens police station on College Street.

Police chiefs insist the hubs represent major plans and it is expected they will go into more detail at a later date.

The Newton-le-Willows plans are set to involve a new station for Earlestown.

The police station in Earlestown (Image: St Helens Star)

Force leaders in Merseyside say the plans are "focused on ensuring the organisation is fit to fight crime, now and into the future".

In a statement, the office of Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said The Estate Strategy 2023-2035 will continue the work to modernise and update Merseyside Police’s stations and facilities.

The aim is to "ensure officers and staff are in the right places and best equipped to serve communities across the region".

During the next 12 years, more than £21.6m is expected to be recouped from the sale of 11 old and unused stations, including Merseyside Police’s former headquarters in Canning Place which is due to go on the market shortly. 

The force believes that by selling outdated buildings that are no longer fit for purpose and replacing them with morrdern, new stations, it is anticipated that a further £2.37m will be saved on the annual cost of running the police estate – helping to protect police officer posts.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “We are determined to ensure Merseyside Police is fit to fight crime now and into the future.

“To do that, it’s vital we provide state-of-the-art stations and facilities for our officers and staff to put them in the best position to serve our communities.

“This ambitious plan is designed to build on the hugely positive work of the last eight years which has seen our fantastic new headquarters, Rose Hill, open for business, as well as the very effective Operational Command Centre in Speke and a major new patrol new hub on Edge Lane. There’s also been major refurbishments of Bebington, Mather Avenue and Halewood Stations.

“All these projects are already making a huge difference – saving money, ensuring we are more sustainable, and equipping officers and staff with the right working environment to best serve our communities.

“Crime doesn’t standstill though, so nor can we. This bold strategy sets out how we will continue to transform our estate, creating better, brighter, greener spaces for our staff which will enable them to flourish and support my priority of delivering Proactive Policing for the people of Merseyside for many years to come.”

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “The communities of Merseyside should expect to receive the highest quality of service from Merseyside Police.

“In order to have the most efficient police force it is vital that our officers and staff can work in buildings that are fit for purpose and suitable for policing in the 21st century.

“This ongoing investment in our estate means that we can continue to deliver a cost effective and high-quality service while supporting the wellbeing of all our officers and staff.

“Merseyside Police remain committed to putting the communities of Merseyside at the heart of everything we do.”

Merseyside Police’s estate currently consists of 74 buildings, two of which were built pre-1920 and nine which opened their doors before 1945.

The force says many of these ageing buildings are inefficient and expensive to maintain and major repairs are required to ensure they are effective and efficient.