High point for chief

A topping-out ceremony was held to mark the completion of the highest point of the new Greater Manchester Police headquarters in Central Park, Newton Heath.

Police leaders and partners gathered on the rooftop of the new
building to watch Chief Constable Peter Fahy and vice-chair of Greater Manchester Police Authority, Gloria Oates, secure a golden bolt and sign the final piece of steel.

The building contractors placed the traditional evergreen yew
branch on the structure to symbolise growth and to bring good luck.

Peter Fahy (pictured second left) said: “This modern, fit-for-purpose headquarters will encourage team-working and improve communication to enable us to work more efficiently and get the most value from our tightening budget so we can, in turn, spend more on front-line policing. It’s great to see the future taking shape before my eyes.”

The £6 million, 240,000 sq ft force HQ will be a highly sophisticated office building, with a BRE Environmental Assessment Method rating aspiring to reach Excellent. Coloured glass and a Portland-stone look will be key features of the six-storey building, which will glow blue at night.

More than 1,000 police officers and staff are expected to be working from the new HQ towards the end of 2011.

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