Nuclear police training facility to open at Sellafield

The centre, which is located near Sellafield nuclear facility, is designed to deliver the Civil Nuclear Constabulary’s (CNC) operational requirements, which it said would help support the UK’s “nuclear mission”.

The security of the nation’s critical infrastructure is clearly of national importance and interest. At the frontline of this protection are the staff of the CNC

Andy Hall, managing director at Morgan Sindall

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) owns the centre, which is leased to the CNC. It will consist of a four-storey hub with classrooms, operational stores and offices, alongside communal use areas. Two connected buildings will also house live fire training arenas.

It expected to be operational in January 2018, having broken ground on Monday this week.

CNC assistant chief constable, Chris Armitt, said the new facility represents an important step forward for the constabulary.

“It will allow us to continue to meet the most stringent armed policing standards set by the College of Policing and UK government regulatory standards for the protection of nuclear sites such as Sellafield,” he said.

Construction firm Morgan Sindall has been appointed to construct the facility with Deloitte Real Estate providing project management and cost consultancy support.

Andy Hall, managing director of construction north at Morgan Sindall, said: “The security of the nation’s critical infrastructure is clearly of national importance and interest. At the frontline of this protection are the staff of the CNC who need the very best facilities in which to train and maintain their preparedness."

The CNC is the armed police force in charge of protecting civil nuclear sites and nuclear materials in England, Scotland and Wales. It employs more than 1,500 police officers and members of staff across the UK’s nuclear sites.