Newmarket’s new £574,000 shared fire and police station has been officially opened, paving the way for “blue light collaboration” in the area.

The shared base in Willie Snaith Road was opened today by Suffolk police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore and county councillor Matthew Hicks.

Financial support for the project was secured from the Home Office, as part of central government’s drive for closer emergency services collaboration,

Work on the new blue-light base, which was designed by Concertus and built by Brooks and Ward, involved an extension and redevelopment of the existing fire station in the town.

The new station includes internal alterations to improve facilities for staff.

This is the ninth shared community fire and police facility in the county with stations already operating in Saxmundham, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Ixworth, Elmswell, Debenham, Framlingham and Clare.

There are also plans for joint stations in Beccles, Leiston and Stowmarket along with some further sharing opportunities in Ipswich.

Mr Passmore said: “The opening of this ninth joint police/fire station in Suffolk is very good news for the county.

“There are considerable financial benefits as well as significant operational improvements that this collaboration between our two organisations delivers for people and businesses across the county.

“I am already looking forward to the next wave of shared facilities being developed, as well as joint initiatives in areas such as community safety and vehicle servicing. Suffolk continues to lead the way nationally in blue light collaboration.”

Mr Hicks, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We have already seen great benefits in developing blue light stations with our partners in the police and the ambulance service in Suffolk.

“It saves the public purse the cost of running multiple buildings and enables emergency services to work closely together in supporting the community they serve.

“The sharing of facilities has also opened up further opportunities to collaborate in areas of service delivery, improving efficiencies and engagement with members of the public.”