Willmott Dixon completes forensic science centre for Thames Valley Police

Willmott Dixon has completed a new Forensic Services Centre in Bicester for Thames Valley Police, a purpose-built laboratory and training complex that replaces outdated facilities scattered across the force's estate with a single, co-located base for its forensic capability.

Procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), the centre is the flagship building of Thames Valley Police's Forensic Improvement Programme, a multi-year investment to modernise forensic services, strengthen investigations and improve outcomes for victims.

The building houses modern laboratories, digital forensic technologies and dedicated on-site training facilities for staff and students. It has been designed to accommodate a broader range of crime scene investigation and digital forensic roles as demand on the service changes and is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent environmental rating.

Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the South:

"A forensic centre has to work as three buildings at once – a controlled scientific environment, a secure operational facility and a workplace people want to come to. Handing over a building that does all three, and that brings the force's forensic disciplines onto one site for the first time, is a significant moment for Thames Valley Police. Working closely with the force from the earliest stages meant we could shape the building around how its teams actually work, rather than asking the science to fit the shell."

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs:

"This is a significant milestone for Thames Valley Police and one that reflects the commitment, collaboration and expertise of everyone involved. The new centre represents an investment in our people and our future capabilities, ensuring we can continue to provide the highest standards of forensic support to investigations across the Thames Valley. I look forward to seeing the building come to life as colleagues move in over the coming months."

A building designed around collaboration

Designed with AtkinsRéalis, the centre is arranged around a central atrium intended to bring teams into contact as they move through the building – a specific requirement of a force whose forensic disciplines had previously operated from separate premises. Floor-to-ceiling windows draw daylight deep into the plan and connect the working environment with the surrounding Oxfordshire landscape, while roof terraces, landscaping and breakout spaces give staff somewhere to step away from laboratory and casework environments.

Kay Hannam, head of forensic services at Thames Valley Police:

"Reaching practical completion is a proud and exciting moment for everyone involved in this project. It has been fantastic to see the vision for the new Forensic Services Centre become a reality, and I would like to thank all those who have played a part in getting us to this stage. Most importantly, this milestone brings us one step closer to welcoming my team into a facility designed to support them in delivering outstanding forensic services for years to come."

Practical completion was marked with an event hosted by Thames Valley Police, which brought together the project team to reflect on the construction phase and what the building means for the force and the wider community. Fit-out and commissioning work continues ahead of the centre becoming fully operational.

James Wright, head of SCF (SE&L):

"SCF is proud to have supported Thames Valley Police in procuring this important investment through our framework. The project demonstrates the value of early contractor engagement, strong partnership working and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes. This new facility will provide a modern, resilient environment that supports the service's evolving forensic requirements for many years to come."

Trusted by forces across the UK

Bicester is the latest addition to one of the strongest blue light portfolios in the industry. It follows the £56m headquarters for Hertfordshire Constabulary in Welwyn Garden City, completed in July and the first police facility in the UK designed to achieve WELL Platinum, and the £25.6m Pendle Police Station in Nelson for Lancashire Constabulary.

Willmott Dixon has also delivered the new Kirklees Police Headquarters in Dewsbury for West Yorkshire Police, headquarters buildings for Dorset, Humberside and Merseyside Police, a police station for Cambridgeshire Constabulary at Milton, a custody suite for Bedfordshire Police and a purpose-built training facility for South Wales Police.

The company is currently on site with the £16.9m rebuild of Bath Fire Station for Avon Fire & Rescue Service and has delivered fire stations and training centres for West Sussex and Avon Fire & Rescue Services.