POLICE officers moved into the new "community hub" in Boscombe's former Argos building this week.

The Boscombe Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will now be working from the building, in Christchurch Road opposite the Crescent, alongside Bournemouth council's local regeneration team and youth services.

Dorset Police said the move would provide officers with better facilities, including interview rooms and meeting areas, as well as a more central location, however it would not include an enquiry desk.

Police Inspector Chris Weeks, the force's liaison officer with the Boscombe Regeneration Team, said: "The new hub location means that our NPT officers will be working from an improved location in the heart of Boscombe.

"The shared premises have been adapted to be functional for our partners to work alongside operational officers and it will also be used by response police officers when required during their duties in that area.

"It is excellent that we are able to collaborate with our local partners to establish a convenient and beneficial location to continue to serve the local community in the best way possible."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said the move was in response to public feedback calling for a police presence "in the centre of the community".

"My priority was to ensure that Dorset Police has an operational base in the heart of Boscombe, and we have achieved that," he said.

"Relocating the neighbourhood policing team to the former Argos building will improve accessibility and will centralise their service.

"This will improve the visible policing presence in Boscombe and will help to regenerate the town centre."

The force said residents should continue to use the enquiry desk at Bournemouth Police Station, Madeira Road, or make use of 101 and online services to directly contact local policing teams.

The "hub" project, converting a building which has been derelict for several years, is forecast to cost the authority more than £1 million, some £350,000 over budget.

According to a council report, workers encountered unexpected structural problems during the construction process.