Police station unfit for purpose to be sold

The building in Washington has not been open to the public for a number of years

A town's "no longer fit for purpose" police station will be put up for sale, a force has confirmed.

Washington Police Station, near The Galleries shopping centre, would need "considerable investment" to be used, Northumbria Police said.

The force added it was looking for "alternative opportunities" to relocate in the area, with neighbourhood police officers to remain in Washington.

Sunderland City Council deputy leader Kelly Chequer confirmed the local authority had been notified about the plans to sell the building.

She said this was following a review of the force's estates strategy and that the city council would make representations about any changes to police jobs as a result of the move.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Washington Police Station is an old building which is no longer fit for purpose and would require considerable investment if we were to retain the site."

They added the premises had not been open to the public "for a number of years".

The force operates from several sites in the Sunderland City Council area, including Southwick.

The planned sale of Washington Police Station follows the closure of several police stations on Wearside in recent years.

The Farringdon Hall Police Station, off Durham Road, closed in 2015 due to budget cuts.

It was vacant for years attracting anti-social behaviour, but was recently demolished to make way for a retail park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The Gilbridge Police Station in Sunderland city centre had also stood empty before it was turned into an office space.