New policing facility brings specialist expertise under one roof

A brand-new specialist policing centre is one step closer to opening after contractors completed the roof section on the facility – set to serve the communities of Broadland and beyond. 

To mark the occasion a special ‘topping-out’ ceremony was held at the Broadland Business Park site witnessed by a number of officers and staff who will be based at the facility as well as Chief Constable Paul Sanford and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Giles Orpen-Smellie. 

The event was hosted on Wednesday 20 April, by main contractor R G Carter which hopes to complete the building work by the autumn. 

The new building will be a central hub for detective investigations, safeguarding, crime scene investigation and public protection services, servicing both Norwich and wider East Norfolk communities. The County Policing Team’s Patrol and Safer Neighbourhood Teams will also be relocating from Acle and Sprowston to the new facility along with the Roads Policing team from Wymondham and Acle.  

PCC Giles Orpen-Smellie, landlord of the police estates, said: “It was a pleasure to attend the event which brings us a step closer to seeing the completion of this milestone project for Norfolk Constabulary. 

“As well as receiving an update on project progress, it was good to meet with officers and staff who will be based at the facility and understand more about how the coming together of such key resources and expertise under one roof, will benefit communities in Broadland and beyond.” 

Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, Paul Sanford, added: “The project is part of Norfolk Constabulary's wider estate plan, which will reduce our costs by moving officers and staff from out-dated buildings which are expensive to run and allows the organisation to accommodate the extra officers recruited through the Operation Uplift programme. 

"The building will be equipped with the technology that we need to fight modern day crime and provide the best service to victims."

Mario Rackham, Director and General Manager, at R G Carter, said: “R G Carter were delighted to welcome to site key stakeholders to celebrate the milestone of completing the roof coverings. The topping-out ceremony is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase this impressive building and thank everyone involved in the journey so far.  

“It has been a great experience for R G Carter to work on this much-needed facility which will provide better infrastructure and facilities to the local community across the county.” 

Broadland Police Station will be the second of two new investigation centres across Norfolk unveiled by the force.