POLICING in North Yorkshire moved a step forward yesterday with the opening of a multi-million pound new station.

The ultra-modern station will serve Harrogate and the surrounding area and has been built on Beckwith Head Road at a cost of £18m - £2.8m under the original budget.

It will become operational on May 17 while the old station, on North Park Road, will be decommssioned over the next few weeks.

Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell and police authgority chairman Jane Kenyon welcomed guests to the official opening yesterday.

Mr Maxwell said: "The completion of the build is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning by a team of highly motivated and professional staff.

He added: "Police officers and staff need the right tools for the job and a fitting working environment.

“The new facility will provide these essential basics for many years into the future, contributing to a first-class policing service for Harrogate communities while at the same time, helping to reduce the force's carbon footprint."

Coun Kenyon said the station was the result ofc “careful and prudent financial planning undertaken over a number of years.”

She added: "This new state of the art station will provide a fantastic base for officers and improve the working conditions of many staff.

“The project has come in well under budget - almost £3m - and that is absolute testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone working on this build.”

Earlier in the day, a private dedication service was held in the new Police Memorial Garden in memory of PC David Haigh, a Harrogate officer who was murdered on duty by Barry Prudom in June 1982.