Work begins on new police suite for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The new suite, alongside a Firearms Operations Unit base, is being built in Birmingham and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.

After the Commonwealth Games the centre will act as a future control centre for police and stage large scale events in the West Midlands in the coming years.

Chief Superintendent Dave Sturman, head of the force's Commonwealth Games team, said: “While this is the start of the building work, the overall planning for the Games actually started at the end of 2017 when it was announced Birmingham had been successful in its bid to host the iconic event.

“The Games will be the largest operation in the force’s history and this new Event Control Suite will provide the world class facilities we need to deliver a safe and successful event for the region.

“We will also be hosting a significant number of colleagues from forces across the country on mutual aid as part of the event and we are committed to ensuring that we provide the best facilities for them.”

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson said: “The Events Control Suite will be the hub for the coordination and control of major regional incidents or events. The project will have a long lasting legacy in Birmingham too, employing apprentices as part of the building contractor scheme and providing them with the training they need to find future employment.

“Employing apprentices to build the suite will have a positive impact on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games and provide a boost to the region’s economy.”

The new suite is being built as part of the police force's estates programme announced in 2018.

Th project is set to save the force £5million.