A POLICE force has ‘moved from the 18th century and into the 21st’ thanks to a modern new headquarters unveiled this week.

North Yorkshire Police are undergoing a phased move from their historic HQ at the Grade II listed Newby Wiske Hall into a specially designed base at Alverton Court in Northallerton.

It is estimated the new building will save the force £10m.

One unit, digital forensics, has already made the move, with around 20 members of staff from mobile, hi-tech and cyber crime already working from the new premises.

Acting Detective Sergeant Phil Lacey said officers were already feeling the benefits from their new working environment whose open plan design enables a more ‘joined up’ approach to operations.

He said: “It is a definite upgrade from Newby Wiske.

“It is a purpose-built facility which will allow us to do our work a lot more efficiently and we have got more space for a larger team which we hope to implement in the near future.”

It is expected that 16 new posts will be created in the Digital Forensics Department in the next 12-months.

Det Sgt Lacey said that at Newby Wiske Hall, staff members were scattered across the site and the new facility promotes better communication as well as the laboratory being accredited by the UK Forensics regulator.

Another advantage of Alverton Court is that is has numerous meeting rooms and communal areas for officers, said Chief Constable Dave Jones.

He explained: “It feels like we are moving from the 18th century to the 21st century.

“This feels like the kind of police force I am trying to build; to be coming into an environment where people want to come together and solve problems for the local community.”

He added: “This reflects what we should be; not Newby Wiske where ex-Colonels and Major Generals used to be Chief Constables.”

Part of Newby Wiske has made it into the new HQ however, as the original memorial stones honouring officers who died in the two World Wars and in the line of duty since have been reinstated from the hall to form the centrepiece of a new memorial garden in the Alverton Court grounds.

Among the other innovations at the new HQ is a cafe run by the Creative Support charity which helps people with disabilities gain valuable work experience.

Officers can also make use of showers and lockers in a bid to promote staff cycling or running into work.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan, who made an early pledge to move the force into a new premises, said that she had heard positive feedback from the officers already working from Alverton Court.

She said that the police have budgeted to be at their new HQ for the next 25-years but expects it to be for longer than that.

“I committed to getting North Yorkshire Police a headquarters fit for modern day policing and I believe that Alverton Court suits our needs exactly.

“It was good to hear that people are finding their new environment helpful and to see first-hand how it is already improving the police service. The move will save approximately £10 million, but it’s not just about savings, it’s about supporting modern ways of working, being cost-effective to run and bringing us even closer to the communities we serve.”

There has been some consternation among residents of Newby Wiske village that the old headquarters is being bought by activity centre company PGL who want to transform into an adventure centre.

Ms Mulligan said the sale is still subject to planning permission and she "knew for certain" that residents were making their views known through the planning application process.