The Area Headquarters of the Thames Valley Police in Colwell Drive was built in 1998. The sloping roof and 30 meter high mast looks like the bridge of a ship. The translucent central area looks to me like the glowing heart of Dr Who’s tardis – which after all was a police box.

Abingdon Borough Police were set up in 1836. Until recently the Police occupied the building near the Old Gaol (now waiting re-use).

Thames Valley Police was formed in 1968 from the Berkshire police force, of which Abingdon was a part, and from the forces of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Oxford City and Reading Borough.

Here is a picture taken later on in the day ( a few days ago). The Area HQ includes office accomodation and a control centre. But of more interest are the custody cells, the exercise yard, and the CCTV monitoring room.