IT'S modern, energy-efficient, has plenty of parking, loads of space – and sea views.

No wonder Teignmouth police are more than happy with their new £1million home.

The high-tech building nestling among the trees on the old Mount Everest site at Teignmouth Community School, replaces the crumbling old police station in the town centre.

Although only built in the 1960s along with the adjoining court house, the premises were rapidly becoming a slum – unpleasant and difficult to work in, and costing a small fortune in maintenance.

'This is so much better for us and the community we serve. Although much bigger, it is far more economic to run, with high insulation values and all the latest energy saving devices,' enthused inspector Chris Shaw, whose patch also includes Dawlish, the Exeside villages to Exminster, and the rural area across to Chudleigh.

'The old police station was past its sell by date and we were happy to move here.

'We have a brilliant work environment and it is also a big investment for the town and means we can provide the community with a better service.'

The contemporary and colourful building is difficult to see from the road and is not open to the public. But there are interview rooms where people can be invited to make statements about crimes or spoken to by officers.

There is also a large room where conferences and meetings can be held with partner agencies.

The public face of the police in the town is the 'cop shop' in Wellington Street, which is manned for long periods by the neighbourhood policing team, including community support officers.

Public access there is unfortunately limited after the civilian clerk was laid off as part of the savage cuts which the police, along with other authorities, are having to make in the economic downturn.

But if officers are in the building, they will open up to callers and there is a phone on the wall which can be used to contact the police. Residents are also advised to dial the new national non-urgent police number, 101, to report incidents or problems.

The new police base is the headquarters for more than 30 officers from various sections of the force and the ease of access to the main Exeter Road makes it much quicker to police the large area.

Insp Shaw admits the town is lucky to have such a spanking new building. Any more delay in the start and it could have become a victim of the budget savings.

Such flagship police stations are unlikely to be built anywhere across the force area for some time to come.