Neighbourhood police officers in Washington have officially relocated to the Washington Community Fire Station, completing a move that aims to bring emergency services closer together. The team moved into the facility on the Glover Industrial Estate on 14 May 2026, vacating their former site near the Galleries shopping centre.
According to Northumbria Police, the previous police station was no longer suitable for use and would have required significant investment to maintain. The building has been secured while the force seeks a buyer for the property.
Area Commander for Sunderland, Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, noted that the primary goal of the relocation is to maintain a consistent police presence in the heart of Washington while ensuring the force provides better value for money. The move has received support from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, with Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath and Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority Phil Tye highlighting the benefits of closer joint working between emergency services, similar to co-location models already operating in other parts of the region.
Despite the move, residents should be aware that the new base at the fire station remains closed to the public for walk-in enquiries, just as the previous police station had been for several years. Since the plan was first announced in December 2025, it has faced some local criticism, including concerns from Sunderland City Councillor Antony Mullen, who argued that the town requires a more substantial police presence.
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