HATFIELD'S new police station combined with a custody suite and magistrates court has been officially opened today.

The new station in Comet Way, has been built on the former de Havilland and more recently British Aerospace site, which has been derelict for a number of years.

MP Vernon Coaker, Home Office Minister of State for policing, security and crime, joined some of the borough's top cops to mark the event.

However bad weather meant the fly-past of Second World War planes was cancelled.

Part of the project has seen the completion of a 30-cell custody suite, and a magistrates court on site where offenders being held overnight in the cells, can be brought in on remand for their first court appearance.

Chief Superintendent Julia Wortly said: “This is the first time we are able to bring together a custody suite and magistrates court, which will benefit not only the community but also out officers.

“Here we are combining a lot of different policing functions and I am delighted to be here for its official opening today.”

She added that the project to build the new station, and close down the old one in St Albans Road East, has been on-going for a number of years.

Guests were treated to a tour of the building this morning, where they were shown the court rooms and areas leading down to custody cells.

Neighbourhood policing teams will also be based at the Comet Way site.