Kier Construction's completion of the first stage of building works on the new Criminal Justice Centre (CJC) in Northampton has been officially acknowledged with a topping out ceremony.

Chief Constable Adrian Lee and chair of Northamptonshire Police Authority Deirdre Newham marked the occasion by tightening one of the final bolts on the steel structure at the site on Northampton Business Park, Brackmills.

They were joined by Ian Cheung, managing director for the East Midlands region of Kier Construction.

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Chief Constable Lee said: "It was a privilege to attend the topping out ceremony of this impressive and much needed building, which will provide upgraded custody facilities for Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire, as well as additional office space for other police and criminal justice functions.

"The construction of the centre is on schedule, within budget, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the remainder of the works progress over the next few months."

The new custody centre is urgently needed to replace and upgrade the existing cell facilities at Campbell Square and Weston Favell police stations, which are too small and outdated. The building is scheduled for completion in July and the CJC is expected to be fully operational by September 2012.

(CD/GK)