Central Police Station
From Free net encyclopedia
The Central Police Station (中區警署) is located at the eastern end of Hollywood Road, in Central, Hong Kong.
It was built in 1864, and other blocks were added between 1910 and 1925. Many police stations were built during this period due to the large number of people who moved to Hong Kong from mainland China and the corresponding increase in difficulty with maintaining law and order.
This main building, built in a classical style, has four storeys and a grey and blue colour scheme, with Doric-style columns. With its long history and antiquated architectural style, the Central Police Station is one of the very last physical reminders of Hong Kong's colonial heritage. In the past, the police station was used as the headquarters of the police; however, its importance declined when the new police headquarters was built in Wan Chai after World War II. Today it still functions as a police station, dormitory, and prison, and is used as both the Hong Kong Island Regional Police Headquarters and the Central District Police Headquarters.
However, the Central Police Station will have to face a reconstruction in the near future since the Government intends to convert the Police Station and the magistracy into modern food plazas, a museum and an art gallery. Victoria prison may also be converted into either a theatre or a museum. The renovated police station compound will then become a tourist destination with historical significance, a rarity amongst Hong Kong attractions.
The Central Police Station Compound, which include the Victoria Prison, is a declared monument of Hong Kong.