Contractor selected for Bicester forensics centre

Willmott Dixon has been selected as the preferred contractor by Thames Valley Police for a state-of-the-art forensics centre as part of a wider improvement programme.

The purpose-built centre in Bicester will become the main forensics hub for the force, containing laboratories, new digital technologies and dedicated training facilities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said: “The programme is the result of a review of Thames Valley Police’s forensics services as a whole where we’ve identified the need to modernise facilities and increase capacity.”

“In a world of rapidly advancing technology, ensuring the police stay on the cutting edge of forensics is crucial to keeping the public safe. Whether crimes such as burglaries, sexual offences or digital crimes, the police need to get ahead of the criminals.”

Construction of Thames Valley Police’s forensics centre is expected to begin in the summer and be completed in winter 2024/25.

Kay Hannam, Head of Forensic Services at Thames Valley Police, said: “Forensic science can be the key to an investigation, in getting a case to court and delivering a timely outcome for the victim. This critical investment will support forensic services across the board from adopting new technologies, developing our people and ensuring legitimacy into the criminal justice system.

“Underpinning this programme of growth is our proposed new purpose-built accommodation that will bring specialisms together under one roof. Here we will have the flexibility to expand our services to meet existing and future demand.”