Home Secretary briefed on ‘revolution in local policing’ at new Nottinghamshire Police HQ
Home Secretary Priti Patel was briefed on Nottinghamshire Police’s ongoing and hugely successful recruitment drive as she visited the force’s new joint headquarters campus.
The Home Secretary was welcomed to the site by Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry and Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
During a tour of the force’s new three-storey training school and joint office complex — shared with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service — she observed officers in training and met some of the new recruits who have helped the force hit is uplift target early.
In achieving this milestone, the force has now become one of the most representative in the country — with a more diverse group of officers more accurately reflecting the communities they serve.
She also learned more about the work of Nottinghamshire’s Violence Reduction Unit — a partnership organisation working to tackle the root causes of violent and weapon enabled crime.
The Home Secretary also spoke to Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry about the newly launched Make Notts Safe Plan, which sets out the commissioner’s vision for policing in the county over the next four years.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “The new building at our joint headquarters is extremely impressive and is home to some truly exceptional facilities. But ultimately what matters most is the quality and dedication of the officers and staff who are now making use of those facilities.
“I was delighted to welcome the Home Secretary to the site and to show her how we are now working together with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to better serve the public and also save money. We are truly in the middle of a revolution in local policing and this new facility lies at its heart.”
In addition to a new sports hall, gymnasium and canteen facilities, the new building also includes a new command suite and casualty bureau for use during major incidents.
At its heart is a large new police control room where hundreds of emergency calls will be processed every day. As part of her tour The Home Secretary was briefed on the force’s very strong call handling performance and also appraised of the key difference between the old and new facilities.
Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “When I was elected to this role I set out with one simple goal in mind — to keep Nottinghamshire safe. Our HQ will also allow us to attract, train and retain the best talent to ensure our police force thrives. It is my vision that by the end of my term in office there will be fewer victims, greater trust and confidence in the police and criminal justice system and a stronger and more resilient network of services supporting victims to recover from harm — the new HQ will help us do just this. I was pleased to have the opportunity to brief the Home Secretary about this personally, who was supportive of all our work here in Nottinghamshire."
