Express Park, Bridgwater

A Police Operations Base will be located at Express Park, on the outskirts of Bridgwater. Located in a new purpose-built, high quality development, it will house the following:

Somerset Operations Base

The Operations Base will provide accommodation for the Criminal Investigation Department, Crime Scene Investigators, Response and Neighbourhood Teams, as well as administrative and support functions. This office accommodation is highly flexible and will lend itself to many police functions.

Custody and Crime Investigation Centre

The Custody and Crime Investigation Centre will have 36 cells, replacing existing custody at Taunton and Bridgwater. It will also be used by the southern areas of North Somerset. Custody at Minehead will be maintained. It is envisaged that a specialist crime investigation team will also be located here who will assist with the investigation and so enable the police officers to return to their communities quicker.

Specialist Operations Base

This base will house specialist functions such as firearms, dogs and road policing units, which are currently based in Taunton and Bournville. Its strategic location close to major transport links will significantly improve the response times of these teams significantly. There will be appropriate garaging and stores facilities.

Enquiry Office

An enquiry office for Bridgwater will be provided on this site, which will be supplemented by a neighbourhood base for the local Neighbourhood team in central Bridgwater.

Express Park will provide working accommodation for around 550 officers and police staff and associated parking for police operational vehicles, staff vehicles and visitor parking. This will include parking for those with impaired mobility.