The Boscombe Police Box will be officially unveiled to the public on Tuesday 8 April 2014.
To mark the exciting arrival of the police box, an opening ceremony will take place at 11.30am in Boscombe precinct in front of local dignitaries, businessmen and women and the community.
This will be followed by a family fun day between 12 noon and 4pm, which will be held at the Boscombe precinct marquee and led by Creative Kids.
A host of free activities and entertainment has been organised, including a bouncy castle, face painting, music and games.
The long-awaited police box – one of only two operational in the country – will provide a highly visible policing footprint at the western end of the precinct on Christchurch Road.
It will be regularly staffed during day-time hours by police officers and police community support officers where they will be able to engage with the community and offer help, advice and support.
A yellow phone will be attached to the police box which members of the public can use to contact Dorset Police at other times.
Local businesses and organisations have independently funded the police box with donations or services, either free or at a significantly reduced cost.
The sponsors will be recognised in the form of an engraved paving stone set at the foot of the box.
As well as serving an important policing purpose, it is hoped the police box will become an iconic landmark creating tourism opportunities for Boscombe.
Bournemouth East Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Weeks said: “The Boscombe Police Box is just one of a number of projects aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and will place an obvious policing footprint exactly where it is needed.
“Dorset Police is committed to listening to the concerns of the community and we hope the police box will both reassure those living, working and visiting Boscombe, as well as sending out a very clear message that the area is policed.”
Sergeant Chris Amey, Boscombe Partnership and Regeneration Officer, said: “The steel construction has been completed, the box has been galvanised and is currently being powder-coated at a secret location.
When it returns it will undergo its internal fit, which will include security locks, CCTV, telephone and the installation of some exciting bespoke technology.
“I’m extremely grateful to Clare and Cary from Creative Kids who are very kindly organising the family fun day to mark the opening of the police box.
The day has specifically been organised during the Easter school holiday to encourage parents to bring their children along to celebrate the opening of this iconic landmark.”
To see the progress of the police box throughout the building and assembly stages, follow @dorsetpolice on Twitter #boscombepolicebox and visit the Dorset Police Facebook page.
It will be craned into place on Thursday, 3 April (tomorrow).
