The new Bath Police Station: A commitment to visible policing

In conversation with residents, businesses and community groups across Avon and Somerset, I consistently hear calls for visible policing. For police officers to be accessible, connected to local concerns and focused on the issues that matter most to them. 

That is why strengthening visible neighbourhood policing is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and why I was very pleased to attend the official opening of the new Bath Police Station on Monmouth Street this week.   

The new station marks an important milestone for policing in the city and represents a crucial investment in delivering our goal. 

I’ve worked closely with the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police to ensure the new station is fit for purpose, financially viable and responds directly to what residents in Bath have been calling for. 

Located in the heart of the city, it places officers closer to the communities they serve and provides a visible location where residents can talk to officers face-to-face. 

Importantly, and for the first time since 2015, it brings the public enquiry office, neighbourhood policing and response policing teams in Bath together under one roof. 

Bringing these functions together in a single, visible city-centre hub will strengthen day-to-day collaboration between teams, support faster information sharing and help deliver a more effective policing service for Bath’s communities. 

Ensuring the policing workforce has the right tools, information and working environment is essential if they are to deliver the high-quality service our communities expect and deserve. The station has been designed to be inclusive, accessible and sustainable, with facilities that support the wellbeing of officers, staff and visitors. 

Ultimately, it responds directly to what you tell me is needed and provides a service that is equipped to respond effectively to local concerns. 

In a city like Bath, with more than 94,000 residents, around six million visitors a year, and a thriving retail, hospitality and night-time economy, it is vital that local policing is equipped to meet demand. 

I know there is still more to do to address local concerns, that policing is frequently having to do more with less, and that rising demand continues to place pressure on resources. But I also know this new station is a significant step in the right direction. 

I look forward to seeing the impact it will have in Bath and to continuing to listen to residents and communities, so I can represent your voices and priorities within policing strategies. 

L-R: Supt. Ronnie Lungu; Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody, Chief Finance Officer Nick Adams; Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Scott Hill