A NEW city centre police station was called into action 24 hours before its official launch yesterday.

Liverpool City Centre's policing team moved to their new community access point on the ground floor of St Johns shopping centre.

But officers were called into action hours before settling into their new office space.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “The arrest was for shoplifting.

“A security guard approached the officers even before the access point was opened.”

The access point is Britain's first privately paid for city centre police station. It will save tax payers about £50,000 a year.

Merseyside Police have been provided with a fully fitted base by retail giant Land Securities, with the rent paid for by businesses.

The police station is situated in a busy shopping area and will make it easier for people living, working or visiting the city to report crimes.

Ed Oliver, Chair of City Central BID, which represents 630 businesses, said: “The ‘cop shop’ underlines what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together.”

He added: "Liverpool is clearly a very safe place.

The police station aims to provide quick responses to incidents such as lost children and allow officers to be more accessible.”

Cllr Bill Weightman, Chairperson of Merseyside Police, officially opened the unit yesterday.

He said he was “delighted” that the unit was privately funded.

He added: “This has allowed us to move forward with such a positive project easily, even in these cash- strapped times.”