When an emergency service asked us to tackle an operational challenge - how a facility’s layout was slowing workflows - we didn’t just review the plans. We walked the site. Observed. Immersed ourselves. The insight? Small details can have big impacts.
A police force came to us with an operational challenge. The layout of an existing custody suite was limiting efficiency, so we decided the only way to find the best design solution was to experience it first-hand. That meant spending time in the cells.
Immersing ourselves in the environment is central to how we work. On almost every project, we walk the site, observe the workflow, and engage deeply with operational realities. Sometimes our curiosity means we get “locked in” accidentally. On this project it was intentional and enabled us to identify the main issue and devise a design solution to address it.
We have extensive specialist expertise in the police and custodial sector, covering major headquarters, custody suites, city centre refurbishments, extensions and constrained developments of all sizes. We also bring this experience to other blue light services, including fire and rescue, ensuring every operational requirement is understood and translated into practical, efficient design.
Because we combine extensive experience, across police, fire and other blue-light services, with a modern, forward-looking approach, we don't just design and manage – we advise, challenge and improve. Our role is to protect operational efficiency while enabling innovation and progress.
Hemlington, Middlesbrough
A new headquarters building, designed by McBains for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland.
Services
Architecture
Sectors
Civic & Government, Blue Light, Office & Commercial
Blackpool, Lancashire
A new divisional headquarters building for Lancashire Constabulary on the outskirts of Blackpool.
Services
Building Services Engineering, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture, Digital Engineering (BIM)
Sectors
Civic & Government, Blue Light, Office & Commercial
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Design of a state-of-the-art police station for North Yorkshire Police to replace their existing outdated city centre facility.
Services
Building Services Engineering, Sustainability & ESG, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture
Sectors
Civic & Government, Blue Light, Office & Commercial
We've partnered with a wide range of blue-light organisations, from police forces and fire services to emergency response teams, delivering projects that combine operational insight with innovative design.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service
/British Transport Police
/Cambridgeshire Constabulary
/Cheshire Constabulary
/Cleveland Police
/Dorset Police
/Kent Fire & Rescue Service
/Kent Police
/Lancashire Constabulary
/London Fire Commission
/Metropolitan Police
/Norfolk Constabulary
/North Yorkshire Police
/Scottish Police Authority
/Suffolk Constabulary
/Sussex Police
/Thames Valley Police Authority
“Mention the words police station and one would normally think of bland business-like buildings where little thought has gone into the design except for it to be functional. The four buildings in the Cleveland PFI break that mould particularly with regard to the two headquarters with their associated custody suites. McBains has designed modern and adaptable well thought out buildings to suit the needs of all users, not only for the detainees but the staff working inside.”
David Kirk, Facilities Manager
Reliance Secure Task Management
World Finance Awards 2013 - Best Green Project Europe
Gloucestershire Police Headquarters
North West Building Excellence Awards 2019 - Best Public Service Building
Lancashire Constabulary West Division Headquarters
April 30, 2019
November 15, 2018
February 4, 2026
January 27, 2026
April 3, 2025
Working in the blue-light sector is about more than delivering buildings. It's about supporting the people and services that protect communities every day. Our teams work at the intersection of design, operations and delivery; applying insight, experience and collaboration to create safe, efficient and resilient environments. The work is demanding, purposeful and has a direct impact where it matters most.
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