North Yorkshire Police to buy government office for new HQ

North Yorkshire Police's current HQ at Newby Wiske Hall will be put up for sale

North Yorkshire Police has submitted an offer to purchase a former government office for its new headquarters.

It wants to buy Alverton Court in Northallerton, which used to house the Rural Payments Agency, to replace the force's current HQ at Newby Wiske Hall.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan claimed the £7m move would save the force £4m.

Last year the force shelved its £18m plan to buy a site in Thirsk because it "no longer offered value for money".

'Cheaper to run'

Miss Mulligan said the force hoped to finalise the purchase this summer and then refurbish the building before relocating workers in 2017.

She said Alverton Court - which is six miles from Newby Wiske Hall - would be "cheaper to run in comparison with the Grade II listed 17th century building at Newby Wiske".

The current HQ costs the force more than £1m per year to maintain and it has been hampered by issues with accessibility, facilities and general infrastructure.

The force is discussing the hall's future with Hambleton District Council but it is expected to be offered up for sale following the move.