Torpoint’s policing team is moving into a converted farm building as part of a plan to redevelop the town centre.
The neighbourhood policing team will be moving into the Rame Innovation Hub, a newly developed centre, in Antony, three miles from the current centre.
This comes as part of plans to reinvigorate the town centre. Cornwall Council purchased the Ferry Street police station, among other properties, and plans to demolish the building to make way for a multi-million-pound town centre regeneration project.
Once completed, a new, bespoke town centre location will be provided by the council for the creation of a police office.
The innovation hub location will give the local policing team continued easy access to the Rame peninsula. The move is due to take place before August.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “At the moment there is no public access to Torpoint Police Station, the building was built for a different era and would require a significant investment to bring up to date.
“Ultimately, by working closely with the council, our aim is to provide a police presence in the centre of the town and to support the council’s ambition to redevelop and invest in Torpoint. I am reopening police station ‘front desks’ where it is possible and if financially and operationally effective to do so. Once a new town centre office is set up Torpoint may be one of the locations considered for a fully staffed police enquiry office.”
Inspector David Ratcliff said: “I would like to reassure the residents of Torpoint that although the police are being moved to the Rame Innovation Hub in Antony there will be a continued police presence in Torpoint. Not only will there be the neighbourhood team working from Antony but response officers will also be working from that location. As such the response to incidents will not change.”
The changes have been proposed as part of an ambitious Cornwall Council programme of investment for Torpoint which is designed to better connect the town with its waterfront.
Councillor Olly Monk, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: “The key aims of this project are to work with Torpoint Town Council, local stakeholders and the community to deliver on Torpoint’s Neighbourhood Development Plan objectives and in doing so revitalise the town centre through the creation of new homes, new commercial and community space, public realm and a better connectivity between the existing town centre and its waterfront.”
Cornwall Councillor for Torpoint John Tivnan said: “We greatly value the partnership with the police, town council and other local stakeholders, including the Antony Estate, as we continue to work closely to progress ideas for the future of Lower Fore Street and the surrounding area.”
Kate Ewert, Cornwall Councillor for Rame Peninsula & St Germans, added: “I’m delighted to welcome the neighbourhood policing team to their new temporary home at the Rame Innovation Hub as they continue their work with and for our local community.”