ENGINEERS are carrying out electrical safety checks at a £1 million police station damaged by a leak for the second time in 12 months.

As reported in the Daily Echo, officers working from the 'community hub' in Boscombe's former Argos building were this month moved to Bournemouth after a leak from a flat above damaged the building.

A leak from the same flat in June last year caused extensive damage to the hub, known locally as the Cotton Exchange.

The building in the Crescent, which houses the Boscombe Neighbourhood Policing Team, Bournemouth council’s local regeneration team and youth services, opened in December 2015.

Superintendent Charlie Eggar, of Dorset Police, said: “Boscombe patrol and response officers have been located at Bournemouth Central Police Station and have patrolled from there since the old Boscombe Police Station closed on November 30 2015.

“At that time the neighbourhood policing team moved into the Cotton Exchange building.

“In May last year this building was flooded when a pipe burst in the flats above.

“After urgent work to ensure the building and electrics were safe, the team moved back into the Cotton Exchange.

“Following another flood earlier this month assessments are again being carried out regarding the safety of electrical systems and damage to the building.

“While this is taking place, the neighbourhood policing team has moved into temporary accommodation at Bournemouth Central Police Station."

Supt Eggar said officers are travelling to Boscombe for patrols in police cars or by using public transport.

“Staff from the team have access to vehicles and are encouraged to travel around on public transport where appropriate, as is usual," he said.

“We are not experiencing any difficulties in policing the area, although of course we are keen to get back into our accommodation in the Cotton Exchange as soon as this can be arranged.”

Damage has been caused to the building itself and equipment inside.

The property is leased by Bournemouth council.

An insurance claim relating to the damage sustained during the previous leak is in progress.

The 'hub' project, which saw the conversion of a building which was derelict for several years, was forecast to cost the authority more than £1 million, some £350,000 over budget