MERSEYSIDE´S Police Commissioner and Chief Constable ceremonially broke the ground at the site of a new neighbourhood police station for Newton-le-Willows today, Thursday 24 April 2025.

PCC Emily Spurrell and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy turned the 1st sod at the site at the junction of Market Street and Peel Street to get work on the new police hub underway.

The new station will replace the existing building, situated just 50 metres northwest of the current facility, which has served the community since the 1970s and is now outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

Once completed, the custom-built station will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of local policing and ensure the local team are equipped with cutting-edge facilities to better serve and protect the residents of Newton-Le-Willows and surrounding areas.

It will boast a public facing General Enquiry Office, an interview and meeting room, locker area and a multi-faith room, as well state of the art operational facilities fit for modern day policing.

Designed to act as a base for community engagement, the new station will act as a central base, making it easier for local people to report crime and seek assistance. The improved facilities will also better support the wellbeing of officers and staff, enabling them to deliver exceptional service around the clock.

Today’s milestone is another step in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 12-year plan to continue to modernise and update Merseyside Police’s stations and buildings to ensure officers and staff are in the right places and best equipped to serve communities across the region.

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- “Newton-le-Willows police station is in a great position to serve its community, but sadly the existing building has reached the end of its lifespan and requires extensive repairs and maintenance. So, I am delighted to get underway on a brand-new facility for this community today, marking a significant milestone for both the people of Newton-Le-Willows and Merseyside Police. This new neighbourhood police hub represents our unwavering commitment to modernising our facilities and enhancing community safety with 1 eye on the future. With state-of-the-art technology and sustainable design, this station will not only improve Merseyside Police’s operational efficiency but also strengthen our ties with this community, making it easier for them to report crimes and engage with their local policing team. We are dedicated to providing the best possible environment for our officers and staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve and protect the residents of Newton-Le-Willows around the clock. I would like to extend my thanks to all our partners who have been instrumental in this project so far and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this vibrant hub will have in the years to come.”

Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy KPM said:- "For more than 5 decades, the police station in Newton-le-Willows has served as an ideal base for providing visible and accessible neighbourhood policing for the town and the surrounding area. The location of the new station is therefore perfect, ensuring a smooth transition in the policing service we deliver to the local community. Our officers and staff are integral members of this community, and having a facility built to meet modern needs will be a significant improvement for both those who work there and the community as a whole."

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council, said:- “It is a great comfort for our residents that Merseyside Police has renewed its unwavering commitment to serving the community with a new station in the heart of Earlestown. We have long campaigned for this so it's fantastic to see it come to fruition. The brand-new station will fit perfectly into the regeneration work we are already doing, transforming the town. Once complete the station is sure to provide a bright, modern and fit-for-purpose home for the local policing team, and a vital hub for public safety and community engagement for our borough.”

Matthew Wall, Public Sector Director, Morris & Spottiswood Ltd said:- “This is a modern policing facility that has been designed in collaboration with the Merseyside Police Estate Strategy team and their professional advisors, and we are proud to play our part in ensuring Merseyside officers and staff are equipped with the latest technology and a sustainable design, to secure Newton-le-Willows policing operations for generations to come. We also want to leave a legacy beyond bricks and mortar and will be supporting the local economy by creating employment opportunities whenever possible during construction.”

The new station, which is located within the Earlestown Conservation Area, has been designed to be sympathetic to the town’s historic character, reflecting the traditional terraced layout with a double gable-ended slate roof and using red-brown brick.

It has also been designed with the aim of achieving Net Zero Carbon status, incorporating solar photovoltaics, air source heat pumps, a building energy management system, and electrical vehicle charging points to reduce running costs and environmental impact.