McMahon: Oldham's police station is 'beyond it's sell-by date'

Oldham Police Station

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has told a meeting of police top brass that Oldham's dated police station needs replacing.

The comments were made at a Greater Manchester Police Accountability meeting held in Oldham on Friday,   attended by Mayor Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes, Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods.

During the meeting, the MP called for plans for a brand new police station to be built in Oldham town centre.

Addressing the attendees, Mr McMahon said 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."

In response, Chief Constable Stephen Watson admitted the building was "in need of doing up" but had concerns about the cost.

"It's not a great building. It's not great for our people to work in, and it has the limitations that come with a building of that vintage.

"What I'm so tempted to do of course, is say 'of course we can build a new police station', but you'll 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 we're looking at custody facilities as well, and custody facilities being tethered to the right operating base is really important as well. We're encouraging our people to be more proactive, and we need to give them the tools to do the job."

The police station on Barn Street in the town centre is now over 40 years old.  Oldham Magistrates' Court, which had 22 staff and annual operating costs of £418,000, closed in September 2016.

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