The new building, developed and funded by Equion plc provides modern facilities and state-of-the-art technology to support the local policing strategy. The existing police station, a Grade 2 listed building, has been refurbished and will remain operational. For the first time, the building will accommodate various local authority partners, such as Neighbourhood Wardens, and a CCTV control room.

Equion will also provide an extensive range of essential support and facilities management services, such as front desk management, custody assistants and evidence and equipment storage.

John Cann, Director of Police and Criminal Justice at Equion commented:
“Equion is proud to be involved in the ambitious South-East London police stations project. We have worked closely with our Metropolitan Police partners to ensure the new stations provide facilities and support services that allow police officers and support staff to carry out their jobs to the highest possible standard.”

Sutton's Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, said: 
"These first class facilities provide an excellent operational base for our staff and the community we serve, helping us to make Sutton a safer place for everyone.”

The PFI project is part of the Metropolitan Police Authority’s wider Estates Strategy programme to modernise police facilities across the Force.

-ENDS-

For further details please contact Christine Jones, Tel: 020 7901 3200.

Notes to Editors

1. The new station will house 30 cells and will feature a UV SmartWater prisoner identification facility.
2. Equion is the UK’s leading provider of police accommodation and facilities and is currently working on 30 police facilities in the UK. In addition to the four stations in South London (Borough police headquarters for Sutton, Lewisham, Bromley & Deptford), Equion is responsible for 17 police stations and facilities in Greater Manchester, the Metropolitan Police Service Specialist Training Centre in Gravesend, a police training centre for Durham and Cleveland police force and seven British Transport police stations.
3. The police station at Sutton is part of a £120 million PFI contract with debt financing provided by Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and equity by Equion plc. The project is a 25-year concession with civilian services provided by Equion Facilities Management.
4. Equion plc, a division of John Laing plc, is a specialist provider of facilities in the PFI and PPP markets with a long-term perspective and approach. Equion offers a combination of skills and experience, from planning and funding through to design, construction and operation. Equion is actively involved in the management of a wide range of police, education, health, defence and special purpose government facilities including:

-      the new Norfolk & Norwich, and Queen Elizabeth (Greenwich) Hospitals
-      a radical restructuring of primary health care facilities in Manchester, Salford and Trafford
-      the Ministry of Defence Main Building refurbishment in Whitehall
-      the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham
-      Highlands Secondary School in Enfield
-      South East Essex College at Southend

5.      Equion and its parent company John Laing plc won the Infrastructure Journal Global Developer of the Year Award in February 2004.www.equion.plc.uk

6.      John Laing plc, a publicly quoted company, holds a large and expanding  portfolio of investments spanning criminal justice, transport (including 100%   ownership of Chiltern Railways), health, education and special purpose  government facilities. The majority of the investments are within the UK        though a number are in continental Europe. www.laing.co.uk

7.      Design and construction of the police station is by Laing O’Rourke.  The police         station will have a floor area of 15,100 m2.  

8.      Photographs of the event will be available.