New police station essential for Oldham

Oldham should not be forced to accept a police station in as poor condition as the central station in the town centre, say local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Deputy leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrat group Sam Al-Hamdani wrote to GM Mayor Andy Burnham and deputy mayor Kate Green, insisting that action is taken to replace the crumbling building. 

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “The building is an eyesore that is not fit for purpose. When the current police chief Stephen Watson was appointed in 2021, he called it ‘like the former GDR (German Democratic Republic)’.

“Well it’s had three more years to get worse, and something needs to be done. People in Oldham need to see that the police are taking things seriously, and operating out of that building sends entirely the wrong message.”

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that while they intended to develop a new station, no timescale existed for its replacement. Some improvements to the police station are due to be completed later this year, but a comprehensive solution is needed.

Councillor Al-Hamdani continued: “We need a police station that officers can use effectively and be proud of. At the moment, if they arrest someone, they have to take them to a station outside the area, because the current police station has no cells, and isn’t in a good enough condition to get ones put in.

“There are so many examples of officers and local people’s time being wasted because the building is just not in a good enough state. Everyone needs a station that makes policing easier, not harder. That can’t come soon enough.”