The design of police stations in the 1970s often reflected a blend of functionality and contemporary architectural trends of the era. For example, the Morecambe Police Station, completed in 1970, was designed by Lancashire County Architects under the leadership of Roger Booth, showcasing a modernist approach that prioritized utility and clean lines typical of public buildings in this period[1].
Another example is the First Precinct Police Station, which, while originally designed in a neo-Italian Renaissance style, continued to be used and adapted through the 1970s. Its narrow four-story structure embodied a balance of traditional architectural motifs with practical adaptations for active policing needs of the time[3].
Internally, 1970s police stations typically included:
- Front desks or reception areas for public interaction.
- Holding cells for detainees awaiting transfer or processing.
- Interview rooms, offices for senior staff, and common rooms for patrol officers.
- Equipment spaces, sometimes including lockers for riot gear and radio rooms, reflecting technological advances of the era.
While specific designs varied by country and region, visual references and preservation projects highlight that these stations often aimed to project both authority and approachability, with layouts evolving to accommodate changing policing practices and societal expectations of transparency[5][7].
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