 Previously, the central Southampton operation was located within the west wing of the Civic Centre; however, the ageing facilities and the plans of constructing a new museum in the old police station and magistrates court necessitated the move.There are additional police stations at Portswood and Banister Park as well as a British Transport Police station at Southampton Central railway station.In the year ending June 2019, the crime rate in Southampton was higher than the average crime rate across similar areas.