WORK has begun on a massive new £3 million building at Clifton Moor, York, which will revolutionise the work of the police and criminal prosecution service.

North Yorkshire Design build and development company Severfield Reeve Projects has started its task of carrying out a long-awaited government initiative to streamline York and North Yorkshire's criminal prosecution service and improve witness support.

The new premises at Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, will house a newly-created Prosecution Team in response to the findings of the Government-commissioned Glidewell Report published in 1998.

The Prosecution Team will combine the North Yorkshire Police Administration Support Unit, now based at York police station in Fulford Road and legal, administration and management teams from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), North Yorkshire Area office in Piccadilly, York, who will work side by side in the same building for the first time.

The Witness Support Unit will also join the team as part of improvements to victim and witness care.

The combined Prosecution Team will accelerate and streamline the prosecution of criminal cases by ending duplication through better teamwork and communications - recommended by the Glidewell Report.

Thirsk-based Severfield-Reeve Projects, which also designed and built the Northern regional headquarters for the Regional Crime Squad in West Yorkshire, has started construction work on the two-storey premises which will house about 90 staff and is due to become operational early next year.

The developer prepared plans for the scheme closely with both North Yorkshire Police and the CPS starting with the initial conceptual designs and budget costings through to full proposals for the 24,000 sq ft landmark building to ensure that the operational and financial aspects meet the Government's objectives.

Superintendent Colin Taylor, head of North Yorkshire Police's Administration of Justice Department and spokesman for the new Prosecution Team, said: "The preparation work for our new premises has taken some time but we are looking forward to moving into what will be highly-efficient new premises from where we can deliver an enhanced service which will benefit the public we serve."

Lindsay Ross, Severfield-Reeve Projects' managing director, said: "We are proud to be part of the team working with the Crown Prosecution Service and North Yorkshire Police to provide this exciting new building and contribute to the service improvements it will bring."

Updated: 09:07 Monday, May 17, 2004