January 2022
Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fitout company, has successfully secured and started work on the design and construction of the major new Durham Investigative Hub at DurhamGate, near Spennymoor for the Durham Constabulary.
The new 2-storey state-of-the-art hub will provide over 6600m2 of modern accommodation including office space, 48 modern cells, interview rooms, Crime Scene Investigation facilities, evidence stores, virtual courts, CCTV, 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 work there. The design approach adopted and use of modern technologies will lead to better police outcomes for victims of crime and create operational efficiencies which will release officers to the front line.
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.
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen 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.”
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “We are pleased that work has started on the Durham Investigative Hub. 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, commented: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with both Durham Constabulary and the Durham PCC, this is a key investment and will be a fantastic new building to support their 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 of DurhamGate, said: “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.”