Oldham's police station is 'beyond its sell-by date' the town's MP has claimed, as he called on Greater Manchester's new top cop to invest in a brand new base.
The ask was made at the first Greater Manchester police accountability meeting, which was held in the council chamber at Oldham's civic centre.
During the meeting, new GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson likened Oldham's police station on Barn Street in the town centre to a building from Communist East Germany.
Jim McMahon, the MP for Oldham West and Royton, quizzed Chief Constable Watson about what could be done to improve the policing facilities in the town.
He said: “Through the course of 11 years of austerity, Oldham has been hit very hard when it comes to policing and justice, we’ve lost our Magistrates Court, our County Court, police stations have closed in Failsworth, in Chadderton, in Royton, and we’ve lost a police post in Limeside as well.
“And all that really hits at the heart of whether people feel that they can see justice being served in their town.
“Now, we have our remaining police station here, but you’ll know through a letter sent more recently that the custody cells remain closed, and I know there was a commitment to reopen Bolton’s custody cells, which I think is to be welcomed.
“But frankly the physical layout of Oldham police station does not allow for the reopening of the custody cells because of the health and safety implications of taking prisoners upstairs.
“I think it would show a real commitment to the people of Oldham if plans were brought forward not just for a refurbishment of a police station that frankly is beyond its sell-by date, but for a brand new town centre police station with full custody facilities as part of that.”
Replying to Mr McMahon, Chief Constable Watson said he ‘absolutely’ took on board his comments about the condition of the station.
“It’s a wee bit like the former GDR (German Democratic Republic) isn’t it,” he added.
“It’s not pretty and it definitely is in need of doing up, it’s not a great building, its not great for our people to work in and it has the limitations that come with a building of that vintage.
“What I am tempted to do is say of course we’ll build a new police station but you will know this is a ton of money that we possibly don’t yet have, but we absolutely are as part and parcel of the whole estate looking afresh at what we’ve got.
“Not least because were looking at custody facilities as well, and custody facilities being tethered to the right operating base is really important.
“If we’re encouraging our people to be more proactive we need to give them the tools to do the job.”
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