Plans for new crime call centre

7:42pm Wednesday 7th February 2001

Hundreds of new jobs could be created in Hendon if plans for a police call centre are given the go-ahead next week.

Proposals for a two-storey building, at the Peel Centre in Aerodrome Road, will go before the Hendon area planning sub-committee on Tuesday.

The centre will handle 999 calls as well as non-emergency enquiries from the public.

The Metropolitan Police Authority plans to employ 790 people in full and part-time positions at the centre, opposite the RAF East Camp site, operating 24 hours a day, with the potential to increase to 885 jobs within 15 years.

A large number of these jobs will be new, as much of the work is currently carried out by police officers who will be released for operational work.

This will go down well with London politicians, including Barnet councillors, who have been clamouring for more bobbies on the beat.

The 15-metre-high building would be located next to, but much lower than, the Police National Computer building.

If the application is granted, all but 65 of the current 309 spaces in the car park will be lost, although a new site on land next to the site would provide 272 spaces, increasing the total number by 28.

A small number of outbuildings is also planned to provide additional plant, an electricity substation and refuse depot.

Council planning officers have recommended the proposals for approval by members.

Editor's Choice