![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially opened Dorset Police’s new flagship headquarters in Winfrith, marking a historic milestone for the force.
Princess Anne toured the three-storey building and memorial garden on 6 October, meeting local dignitaries, the project team behind the development, and award-winning officers, staff and volunteers. During her visit, she spoke with representatives from a range of departments who work to keep Dorset one of the safest counties in the country.
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson described the occasion as an honour and a proud moment for the force. “This was an important historical moment for Dorset Police, and I was delighted to introduce Her Royal Highness to the fantastic team who made it happen, alongside our hardworking officers, staff and volunteers,” she said.
She added that the new facility would deliver long-term value while improving conditions for the workforce. “Our former HQ building had served us well for 60 years but had well and truly outlived its original temporary purpose. We are proud of our new headquarters, which will provide value for money and long-term savings, enabling us to invest in frontline policing. Sustainability was at the forefront of its design – we now generate some of our own electricity through solar panels and have greatly reduced our water usage.”
The headquarters has already achieved a ‘good’ BREEAM rating, an internationally recognised measure of sustainable building performance, and forms part of a wider estates programme to modernise and future-proof the force’s facilities.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick, said the new HQ was an important step in strengthening the connection between Dorset Police and the communities it serves. “Our communities want to feel more connected to their police and see increased visibility,” he said. “Improvements to our estate, the ongoing recruitment of extra officers, the roll-out of Community Contact Points and two Mobile Police Stations are helping us better meet those expectations.
“This state-of-the-art facility will provide staff and officers with the tools and resources they need to serve and protect our communities effectively. It is a vital step forward in enhancing public safety and supporting the hard work of our dedicated police force.”
To read similar articles, check out our Leadership channel
