Dear Resident

The search is on for a suitable site to be a new police base in the centre of Corby. Kettering will also have a new town centre base for police and a new fire station, and there is a firm commitment to retain a police base in the eastern district of Northampton.

Finding a site for a new town centre policing base in Corby is the first priority. 

The new site will be home for the town’s neighbourhood policing team and an open public enquiry office. If a suitable site can be found, response police officers serving the Corby area will also move in - however the priority is to make sure that local officers and staff are in the heart of the town as soon as possible.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone and Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet gave a commitment to enhance the policing of Corby town centre some months ago and since then, a number of sites have been considered. These were all ruled out because they did not meet operational needs, didn’t provide value for money or were not in a central location.

Danielle said that her specialist Estates team is currently working with property agents to find a location that fits the bill. Danielle has also written to the local council and MPs to update them on the plans.

In the meantime, we are working with our partners at North Northamptonshire Council to find ways to extend the opening hours for the public enquiry desk situated at Corby Cube and improve signage to raise awareness of the facility.

Several other developments will also form part of the pledge to improve police and fire visibility in our communities.

A new town centre base will be found for the neighbourhood policing teams and a public enquiry office in Kettering. 

There will also be a new fire station for Kettering. This will be a new building that will be located on the Cherry Hall Road site adjacent to the Northern Accommodation Building. 

Traffic and parking issues can make entry to and exit from the current fire station in the Headlands difficult. The new fire station will have good access to major routes and will be built to meet modern working and welfare standards.

A planning application will be submitted for the new fire station soon.

There is also a firm commitment for police to remain in Weston Favell – but in a new or different building - keeping officers at the heart of the busy Eastern District of Northampton. 

Alongside these commitments, plans are being developed for a series of police hubs  in other towns that will likely see neighbourhood policing teams co-located with staff from other agencies and opening to the public for pre-arranged events or appointments.

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “I’m really pleased to give firm commitments that will make Northamptonshire Police officers more accessible in the towns they serve, and to provide a great, new facility in Kettering for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“I know how much it means to people to have a reassuring police presence in the heart of their community to deter and prevent crime and keep our streets safe. I pledged to make closer connections between communities and their police and fire service - this is another step forward.”

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner owns the police and fire estate and the Chief Constable, and the Chief Fire Officer decide how buildings will be used to meet operational needs.

The developments announced today are being prioritised. Work to find new sites is well underway and more details and timescale will be announced as details emerge.

Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said:  “Our police officers have always been working hard to keep people across the county safe. I know how important it is to the public to see their police officers and PCSOs in the heart of their community and know how to contact them. 

“Corby and Kettering will have the visible and reassuring police presence that they deserve, and we are looking at ways to engage with all of our communities across the county. I’ve seen for myself the impact that reopening our enquiry office at Campbell Square in Northampton has had for example.

“I want Northamptonshire to be the safest place it can and putting police officers back into the centre of towns – where they want to be – has a big part to play.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Phil Pells said:  “A new fire station for Kettering will provide a modern and fit for purpose working environment for our staff. The proposed new site is in a great location that is both accessible to the public we serve and well located for our operational needs.”