Film Crews Transform Former Police Station for BBC Drama Production
Residents and passers-by in Sutton Coldfield were treated to an unusual sight last week as film crews descended upon the landmark former police station on Lichfield Road. The location was temporarily transformed into a fictional police station, sparking curiosity and speculation among locals.
A Fictional Police Force Takes Over the Historic Site
On Thursday, March 26, camera crews were observed outside the decommissioned station, with signs erected renaming it Birmingham Southside Police Station. This name raised eyebrows, given Sutton Coldfield's location in the north of the city, but it was all part of the filming for a hit BBC show.
Further authenticity was added with a sign by the entrance stating: Midlands Police Force. Make a difference in your community. Become a police officer. Apply today. This confirmed the setup as a fictional police force, not a real-life revival of the station.
Behind the Scenes of the Filming Operation
The site featured an area covered with black tarpaulins, accompanied by ladders and metal poles, suggesting preparations for a dramatic scene. Activity continued into Friday, with the signs removed but the black-covered set remaining in place.
BirminghamLive contacted the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's office for details. While not providing specific information, a spokesperson noted that Commissioner Simon Foster often leases out empty police buildings for filming. The revenue generated from such leases is reinvested into frontline policing to support force priorities in the West Midlands.
Speculation Points to Silent Witness as the Likely Production
Local councillor David Pears commented, I drove past yesterday. But it's going to be Silent Witness. They have crews by Blackroot Bistro and by the mill. The rumour is they have rented this to do filming work.
When approached, the BBC Drama press office declined to confirm specific filming locations for security reasons. However, they noted that Silent Witness is now filmed and set in Birmingham, while Line of Duty is produced in Belfast.
Historical Context and Future Plans for the Site
The former Sutton Coldfield Police Station has downsized and relocated to the Anchorage Road side of the site. The old building is currently being sold, with plans to convert it into a doctors' practice with an integrated pharmacy, pending planning permission.
This is not the first time a fictional police station has appeared in Birmingham. Last year, a similar setup emerged in the Jewellery Quarter, named West Birmingham Police Station, which also sparked speculation about Silent Witness filming.
The temporary transformation of the Sutton Coldfield site highlights the growing use of Birmingham locations for television productions, bringing a touch of Hollywood to the city's streets while generating funds for local policing initiatives.
