STREETS on a housing estate built on the site of a former police HQ are to be named in honour of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Six fallen officers who died while serving with Durham Constabulary will be remembered at the new housing estate being built on the site of the former force headquarters at Aykley Heads, in Durham City.

The Northern Echo: REMEMBERED: PC Keith Maddison, who collapsed and died while chasing suspects in Howden-le-Wear in 1997

REMEMBERED: PC Keith Maddison, who collapsed and died while chasing suspects in Howden-le-Wear in 1997

Streets in the first phase of the housing development will be named Woodward Way and Maddison Court, to remember the sacrifice of Sergeant Stanley Woodward, shot dead while on secondment with the British Police Unit in Cyprus in 1958, and PC Keith Maddison, who collapsed and died in 1997 while chasing two suspects in Howden-le-Wear.

The other officers to be honoured are: 

  •  Pc Matthew Walls Straughan, 36, who was shot in 1927 by a man on whom he had just served a summons.
  • Sergeant Robert Little, 46, who was killed by fumes rescuing an elderly woman trapped in a burning house in 1930.
  • Pc William Ralph Shiell, 28, who was shot chasing two burglars in Coxhoe in 1940.
  •  Detective Constable James Brian Porter, 31, who was shot dead whilst chasing two armed robbers in 1982.

The 27-acre site was home to Durham Constabulary’s headquarters from the early 1960s until August 2014, when the force moved to a £14 million purpose-built HQ nearby and the site was cleared.

Housebuilder Persimmon Homes Durham has since bought the site to develop a 230-home housing estate under the name Aykley Woods.

Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “I am delighted Persimmon has honoured our fallen officers in this way, allowing their memory to live on in bricks and mortar.

The Northern Echo: DEMOLISHED: The former Durham Constabulary headquarters at Aykley Heads which has been demolished to make way for a new Persimmon housing estate, where streets will be named after fallen officers

DEMOLISHED: The former Durham Constabulary headquarters at Aykley Heads which has been demolished to make way for a new Persimmon housing estate, where streets will be named after fallen officers

“The Aykley Heads site will always have a special place in our hearts here in Durham, as it’s where our old headquarters stood proud for almost 50 years.

“It seems a very fitting tribute to those who lost their lives protecting the public of County Durham and Darlington that they are remembered at a place so important to Durham Constabulary and our history.”

Neil Foster, managing director for Persimmon Homes Durham, said: “We are delighted to be involved with this fitting tribute as it’s important for us to support the local community. It really is an honour to recognise these brave officers.”

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, from Durham County Council, added: “We are pleased to see the development progressing and it is a nice touch that fallen policemen will be honoured in this way.”

The announcement was made to coincide with national Police Memorial Day which takes place on Sunday.