The Home Secretary Theresa May has opened a new £15 million Firearms Training Centre in Bristol.

The new Black Rock Specialist Training facility in Portishead was built by Galliford Try for the Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police forces.

It will provide firearms and tactical training facilities for all three forces.


Galliford's Building business developed the centre, which includes a tactics enclosure (complete with two semi-detached multiple layout houses and abseiling training area), two judgmental suites and 100m and 50m firing ranges linked by CCTV.

The scheme is part of a wider PFI programme with Avon and Somerset police, which also includes three new police and custody centres.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, the Home Secretary said: "The Black Rock Specialist Training Centre is an outstanding facility and represents an exciting step in our collaboration in support of the operational teams operating across the three forces, ensuring our communities are kept safe."

(LM)