Norwich Bethel Street police station revamp to cost £6.5m

The potential price tag for major changes to Norwich's Bethel Street police station has been revealed - at a time when people across Norfolk face paying higher council tax bills for policing.

Norfolk Constabulary's plans for the police station were approved by Norwich City Council in October, with the force now tendering for the construction work.

The revamp of Norwich's Bethel Street Police Station will cost up to £6.5m. Pic: Newsquest (Image: Archant)

Under the plans, the bulk of the cells of the 1930s-built, Grade II* listed building will be removed, with a new single-storey extension built.

There will also be a drone landing pad built on the police station's roof.

READ MORE: Revamp plans for city's police station get green light

Assistant chief constable Julie Dean. Pic: Norfolk Constabulary (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Assistant chief constable Julie Dean, who is heading up the refurbishment project, said: "The changes we are planning at our Bethel Street Police Station are part of Norfolk Constabulary's long-term estates strategy.

"The current building is not fit for a modern workforce. It does not meet today’s standards, regarding accessibility and infrastructure.

"We are recruiting and training Norfolk’s police officers as part of the government’s uplift programme.

"We need the space to accommodate these roles and a tailored working environment that not only complies with modern working conditions, but is equipped with the infrastructure to effectively manage the complexities of policing.

"It is important to the constabulary that we retain a presence in the centre of our city to enable us to police effectively, efficiently and be accessible to our communities."

The share of council tax which goes to Norfolk police is going up by 5.2pc over the coming year.

The rise means an annual increase of £14.94 on a Band D property, or £11.62 on a Band B property.