The City of London Police is set to move into a brand new, purpose-built headquarters worth £600 million by the year 2027. This major development at Salisbury Square has just reached a key construction milestone, marking a significant step towards creating a cutting-edge justice quarter in the heart of the capital.
A Milestone for Modern Policing
The "topping out" ceremony for the new police building was held recently, celebrating the completion of its structural frame. This event follows a similar milestone for the development's dedicated courts building in September 2025. The entire complex, designed by Eric Parry Architects and built by Mace Construct, is a cornerstone of the City of London Corporation's vision. It aims to bring together state-of-the-art policing facilities and a purpose-built justice quarter, specifically supporting the force's crucial role as the national lead for Fraud and Cyber Crime.
Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman for the City of London Corporation, emphasised the importance of the investment. He stated that the security of the City, which makes a vital contribution to the UK economy, is paramount. "This topping out milestone is testament to our commitment to ensuring the police force has the best facilities to keep the City safe," Hayward said. He described the £600 million investment as a "once-in-a-generation contribution to national policing, justice infrastructure, and economic growth."
Specialist Facilities for a National Mission
The new headquarters is part of a broader justice precinct that will include 18 specialist courtrooms next door, solely dedicated to handling economic and cyber crime cases. This integrated approach is designed to deliver faster justice for victims and uphold confidence in the UK's financial system.
The City of London Police has a proven track record in combating financial crime. Its public-private partnerships reportedly saved the financial industry £55.5 million in losses last year alone. Furthermore, its Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit has prevented an estimated £800 million worth of fraud since it was established. Through its Economic and Cyber Crime Academy, the force has also trained over 3,500 individuals in the past three years, upskilling officers from across the country.
Location and Lasting Impact
The new headquarters is situated on a constrained site measuring 127 metres long by 73 metres wide, bordered by Fleet Street, Whitefriars Street, and Salisbury Square, and is adjacent to the historic St Bride's Church. The development is within a conservation area, surrounded by a mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality premises.
Tijs Broeke, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, highlighted the force's unique dual role. "The City of London Police uniquely combine dedicated local policing for the City with national leadership in tackling fraud," he said. Broeke added that the new HQ will ensure the Square Mile has the best facilities to fight complex financial crime, which is vital for the UK's prosperity and economic security. He also noted that this substantial investment delivers a lasting national benefit at no additional cost to taxpayers, thanks to the partnership with the City Corporation.
With the structural frame now complete, the project remains firmly on schedule to provide the City of London Police with the modern, efficient, and technologically advanced base it needs to confront evolving threats well into the future.
