A NEW state-of-the-art police station will be built in the heart of Harrow within the next two years.

The purpose-built station will better equip police to launch quick responses to emergency situations throughout the borough, provide improved front-counter customer service and double the number of holding cells.

The multi-million pound building will replace the 50-year-old station in Northolt Road, South Harrow, which was described as "not fit for purpose" by the Harrow's top officer, Borough Commander Richard Walton.

The move is a part of a plan to modernise all of London's aging police stations and funding will come out of the Metropolitan Police capital budget.

The Harrow Times can reveal a high-powered meeting was held in the House of Commons last week to discuss the situation.

Mr Walton, Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas, Harrow East MP Tony McNulty and Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker unanimously agreed to lobby the Metropolitan Police Authority to ensure a new station in Harrow would be a top priority.

The station will be strategically located in central Harrow but Mr Walton said the move would not reduce the police presence across the borough.

Mr Walton said: "There are already safer neighbourhood teams situated in all but four of Harrow's 21 wards.

"At the moment we are not strategically located and you just have to look at our building to know it's inappropriate and not fit for purpose.

"Policing is now 24-hours a day and we must modernise to meet the demands."

Over the decades, police have acquired more and more of the surrounding buildings in Northolt Road and it is no longer logistically suitable for the different departments to communicate.

The number of holding cells will be doubled from 12 to 24 and members of the public will no longer have to queue outside the station to report incidents.

Emergency response from Edgware and Wealdstone will also operate out of the new station.

Several possible sites have been identified and the police will work closely with Harrow Council to select the location.

A Harrow Council spokesman said: "We are aware of the police desire to reorganise throughout London and the council will be involved in discussions with the police as their plans progress."

It is likely that the current Northolt Road station will be demolished.

Mr Thomas said the new station would make Harrow a safer borough to live in.

He said: "The current station in South Harrow is not up to scratch anymore.

"If we get a new station it will lead to more effective policing and make Harrow a safer place to live in."