Interserve wins £150m deal to build police HQs

The consortium won the private finance initiative (PFI) contract from West Yorkshire Police Authority and West Yorkshire Police for the two new divisional headquarters, plus custody suites and a training facility.

The headquarters and their custody facilities will be built at Elland Road in Leeds and Havertop Lane in Normanton.

The Elland Road station, to be built on the former greyhound stadium, will replace outdated facilities at Millgarth police station, in Leeds city centre, and Holbeck police station.

The training centre, which will include firearms training ranges, driver training and public order training facilities, will be next to the force’s operational support division in Wakefield.

Interserve said the training facilities will enable officers to “train for reality”.

Interserve will also provide facilities management (FM) services at all the sites for 25 years after completing the construction.

The Normanton station is expected to be complete by the end of 2013, with the training centre and Leeds site due for completion in the first half of 2014.

Interserve chief executive Adrian Ringrose said: “These police facilities represent a key element of regional infrastructure, so we’re obviously proud the authority has entrusted Interserve with creating and supporting them. We’re already heavily involved in the region, having worked here for many years.

“We’ve built facilities such as the Winter Gardens in Sheffield and the flood defences in Ripon, and we have a 10-year strategic partnership with Leeds City Council through which we’re constructing and managing a number of schools and other amenities.

“Recently we acquired the Leeds-based welfare-to-work business BEST, through which we’re helping the long-term unemployed in South and West Yorkshire back into work.”

The total design and construction cost will be £100m and the FM cost will be approximately £50m over the 25-year period.

Interserve and consortium partner Equitix, the infrastructure developer and fund manager, will each invest £4.3m in the project.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police Authority said: “The construction and operation of these new facilities will provide a timely boost for the local economy. At least 85 per cent of subcontracts will be awarded to local companies, and at least 65 per cent of construction staff will live locally.

“Interserve has also made detailed commitments to support skills and training for young people, including a firm commitment to support 85 young people across West Yorkshire to access apprenticeships.”

Interserve beat Balfour Beatty to win the contract.