Police Box for sale in South Yorkshire
Thursday, 27 January 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
South Yorkshire Police are in the process of selling off some of their disused properties in the Sheffield area, ranging from small buildings to police boxes! The agents for the sales are property consultants Knight Frank; Rebecca Schofield commented:
Nigel Hiller, Director of Finance for South Yorkshire Police explains:
Most of our buildings were built pre World War II and they are not suitable for a modern age, as it isn't easy to cable them.
Each of the buildings were surveyed which explains how much it would cost to make them fit for purpose. It is never cheaper to buy a new building but we have to look at how we police communities for the next 50 to 100 years. And many of our facilities are not located in the right place for people to access.
An item on the sale featuring Hiller appeared on the BBC's regional news programme Look North - the video may be viewed on the BBC News website. David Livingstone, South Yorkshire Police’s Head of Facilities Management said:
You can read some more about the history of the police box at the Police Boxes and Mind Robber websites, and the more familiar "TARDIS" version at the Metropolitan Police website.
Police boxes often attract a lot of interest thanks to their history, their convenient locations and, of course, the Doctor Who association.
However, they can be used in a variety of ways such as a small office or storage space. In the past people have acquired disused police boxes and turned them into a small retail outlet or a kiosk and many of these Sheffield sites could also present an opportunity for redevelopment, subject to necessary planning consent.
However, they can be used in a variety of ways such as a small office or storage space. In the past people have acquired disused police boxes and turned them into a small retail outlet or a kiosk and many of these Sheffield sites could also present an opportunity for redevelopment, subject to necessary planning consent.
Nigel Hiller, Director of Finance for South Yorkshire Police explains:
Most of our buildings were built pre World War II and they are not suitable for a modern age, as it isn't easy to cable them. Each of the buildings were surveyed which explains how much it would cost to make them fit for purpose. It is never cheaper to buy a new building but we have to look at how we police communities for the next 50 to 100 years. And many of our facilities are not located in the right place for people to access.
An item on the sale featuring Hiller appeared on the BBC's regional news programme Look North - the video may be viewed on the BBC News website.
The advent of mobile phones and BlackBerrys mean officers no longer require police boxes for reporting when they’re out on the beat. This has prompted us to put these properties on the market so they can be put to alternative good use in communities and the city centre.
You can read some more about the history of the police box at the Police Boxes and Mind Robber websites, and the more familiar "TARDIS" version at the Metropolitan Police website.
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