A CALL handling site has opened at Bridgwater Police Station in Express Park.

Avon and Somerset Police can now answer 999 and 101 calls at the station, which opened its doors in 2014.

The force is on the lookout for people to work as call handlers at the site and its headquarters in Portishead, North Somerset.

Head of command and control, Becky Tipper, said: "We are delighted to be able to open up our control room at Bridgwater Police Station as a call handling site.

"The centre will complement our 24/7 control room at Police Headquarters in Portishead, supporting our service delivery of 999 and 101.

"It will provide a base in the southern part of our force area for those interested in a career working in an emergency control room.

"The facility will continue to act as a back-up, overflow site for headquarters alongside its new function.

"We are currently recruiting call handlers to our centres at both Portishead Headquarters and Bridgwater Police Station, in Express Park, which opened in 2014.

"Anyone interested in a career in our emergency control rooms where you will be the first point of contact for our communities, please visit our website to find out more about the role and its benefits (www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/jobs-and-volunteering/communications-centre/emergency-communications-operator)." 

Alongside the control room, the nine-year-old station has 36 cells and houses investigation teams, local policing officers, response teams, case progression and prosecution, a Tri Force specialist operations team, a victim care unit and a multi-agency service hub.

When it opened, the Mercury reported that more than 650 staff and officers would be based at the Express Park facility.

Call handlers are the first point of emergency contact for people in Avon and Somerset during times of crisis.

They take 999 emergency and non-emergency calls and provide immediate support, reassurance and advice.

Dispatchers work closely with the force's 999 and 101 call handlers to assess the calls received and then advise, direct and deploy police resources. 

They make decisions on how to respond and guide police teams attending the incident. Part of their role includes taking 999 calls. 

Both roles involve communicating via a headset and using multiple systems and three or four desktop screens.

For more information and to apply, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/jobs-and-volunteering.