For the first time in more than ten years, Bath’s police officers are once again operating from a single, full-service police station. The new Bath Police Station, located on Monmouth Street, opened its doors last week, signalling a major milestone in the city’s policing history.
Superintendent Ronnie Lungu of Bath and North East Somerset described the new facility as a “modern, fit-for-purpose police station” that will enhance the efficiency and coordination of policing efforts across the city. “From tackling antisocial behaviour and shoplifting to addressing wider demands in the city centre, having our teams based together will enable a more effective response to community concerns,” he explained.
Bath’s last full police station on Manvers Street closed in 2015 amid budget-saving measures by Avon and Somerset Police, with some staff relocated nearby, while patrol teams were moved to a site on Lower Bristol Road. This closure marked the first time in 150 years that Bath – home to nearly 100,000 people – lacked a centrally located police station.
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The previous police station had served the city since the 1970s, following the move from Orange Grove, a station in operation since 1866. At closure, the Manvers Street building was largely underutilised and costly to maintain. Former Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens defended the sale, noting it helped preserve 140 officers’ jobs.
Calls to reinstate a central police presence persisted, championed by Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse among others. In 2022, the enquiry desk was refurbished and rebranded within Bath and North East Somerset Council’s one stop shop, but patrol teams remained offsite.
It was Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford, elected in 2021, who secured the purchase of Plymouth House – a disused office block at Monmouth Street and Charles Street – for conversion into Bath’s new, consolidated police station. “Visible policing is vital in our communities,” he said, emphasising Bath’s status as a key regional city attracting over six million visitors a year.
Following Shelford’s departure and Labour’s Clare Moody’s election in 2024, the station’s opening was officially announced. Moody highlighted the role of community voices in shaping local policing and the importance of a visible police presence.
Extensive renovations at Plymouth House included installing new windows to improve security and energy efficiency, enclosing external staircases, and upgrading fencing and gates to protect police vehicles. The enquiry desk welcomed the public on 12 August, with new signage aligning with the adjacent one stop shop.
Chief Constable Sarah Crew praised the station as a “significant investment” in Bath’s policing and workforce. She emphasised the design’s focus on operational effectiveness and staff wellbeing, stating, “This marks our long-term commitment to Bath and ensures our teams have the facilities and environment needed to deliver outstanding policing.”