West Bridgford Fire Station becomes new home of Rushcliffe's neighbourhood policing team

A fire station is now the home to Rushcliffe's neighbourhood policing team.

The officers made the move into West Bridgford Fire Station today (Tuesday) as part of a blue light collaboration.

Nottinghamshire Police said it would ensure the existing quality of frontline policing remained at the heart of the community.

It added the shared premises with fire crews on Loughborough Road would help increase efficiencies and promote closer working between the two organisations when tackling local issues.

The fire station has undergone redevelopment work to create dedicated working areas for the two organisations, as well as a shared kitchen, dining and welfare facilities, and additional parking.

The force owns the old police station on Rectory Road which is due to be sold. The sale of the station will be invested into other police projects and will lower estate running costs.

It follows similar collaborations between the police force and fire service like at Highfields and London Road fire stations.

Earlier this year, the first tri-emergency services hub was created in Hucknall, as police and fire personnel moved into the existing East Midlands Ambulance station.

Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Berry said: "The fire station is a great facility which will ensure that both emergency services can work even closer and provide an even better service to the local community.

“By sharing premises we can ensure value for money for the public, whilst promoting joint working which will serve our communities well.

"It's important to stress that although officers are moving out of the town centre, we will be very much available for the local community as we always have been. There will be no policing impact that will affect local residents.

"We are simply moving base and keeping the same presence in the West Bridgford area.

"Officers will continue to use West Bridgford Police Station as a location to do training until the building is sold."

Local residents looking to speak to their local neighbourhood team can still ring 101 for non-emergencies at any time on any day.