The last part of the funding needed for a new policing training college has finally been approved, giving the green light for the new facility to be built - but more than two years after it was originally supposed to be have been build and actually open for business.

Work on the new college in Cookstown, which will be built on land at the Loughry Agriculture College site, is expected to begin in 2009.

When completed, it will also train Fire and Rescue Service personnel as well as prison officers.

-- Advertisement --

The NI Secretary of State confirmed that a modernised PSNI forensic science facility is also to be built as part of a £3.7 billion spend on policing over the next three years.

Shaun Woodward said money would also be available to build new prison accommodation in the Province, with the likely location to be on the existing facility at Magilligan, County Londonderry.

The Minister made the pledges this week as he outlined the final details of the NIO's budget for policing and security for the period 2008-11.

He said that money will also be spent implementing the sentencing review reforms outlined last month.

The £1.2 billion annual spend equates to a 2.4% increase on the last budget announced in 2004.

See: NI Police College proposal gains planning approval

(BMcC)