Tilbury Douglas starts work on new Durham Constabulary investigations hub

Building work has started on a new police investigations base.

Tilbury Douglas is delivering the Durham Investigative Hub, at DurhamGate, near Spennymoor, for Durham Constabulary.

Bosses say the two-storey hub will provide more than 6600sq metres of modern accommodation, including office space, 48 cells, interview rooms, crime scene investigation facilities, evidence stores, virtual courts, CCTV, an energy centre, medical provisions and forensic examination rooms.

The centralised suite will incorporate a safe and improved environment for staff, detainees and visitors, as well as the health workers and legal professionals who will also work there.

Officials say the design approach adopted, alongside the use of modern technologies, will lead to better police outcomes for victims of crime and create operational efficiencies, which will release officers to the frontline.

The new facility will provide a flexible and sustainable building needed to replace the existing ageing custody estate.

The building procured via the Procure Partnership Framework is designed to comply with the Home Office’s Police Custody Design Guide and will be completed by spring 2023.

Joy Allen, Durham police and crime commissioner, said: “This represents the largest investment ever undertaken by my office and the constabulary.

“It will also support the sustainability agenda with employment of local people, suppliers and services which will boost the economy for County Durham and Darlington.

“We are pleased to be working in collaboration with local developer Arlington Real Estate and contractor Tilbury Douglas to deliver a building to ensure our estate is fit for the future.”

Jo Farrell, chief constable, said: “The new building will improve our operational response to investigating crime, ensuring the safe detention of individuals, improving working conditions for officers and staff, and will also lead to efficiencies which will be reinvested back into frontline policing.”

Mark Gardham, regional director – North East, at Tilbury Douglas, said: “This is a key investment and will be a fantastic new building to support the Constabulary’s operational priorities.

“As a local contractor, and Durham City of Culture 2025 supporter, our priority is always to maximise social value, including local supplier use, employment and apprenticeship creation. We are also using modern methods of construction to improve health, safety, quality and sustainability outcomes.”

Dean Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, the developer behind DurhamGate, added: “This development continues a long-standing relationship between Durham Constabulary and DurhamGate and we are proud that such a significant regional facility will be part of our growing community.

“It marks an important milestone in the continued regeneration of this part of County Durham and we look forward to working closely with Tilbury Douglas and Durham Constabulary throughout the project.”