Spanning 4,518 sq m, the Aberdeen Custodial Centre was the first development to be completed by hub North Scotland for Police Scotland.

Situated within the north of Aberdeen on the site of a former Scottish Water depot, the facility has 60 individual cells in addition to a virtual court, identity parade suite, criminal justice office, a community policing team and a range of support office accommodation.

The innovative design takes advantage of a natural change in levels, with the building split between two floors helping create individual entrances for custody and office accommodation. The building was constructed in response to Police Scotland’s custody unit on the city’s Queen Street becoming outdated in layout. With only 31 cells, it became too small to provide the required levels of custody accommodation on one site which led to strain on staffing levels.

Community engagement was an important aspect throughout the consultation and construction phases of the development, with nearly 130 school and college visits being completed.