The actress met the equivalent of Kate, Steve and Hastings
Line of Duty star Vicky McClure visited a real-life AC-12 as she opened a police force’s brand new headquarters in her home town.
The actress, known to millions as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in the hit BBC drama, was given a tour of Nottinghamshire Police’s own anti-corruption unit.
She formally opened a joint police and fire HQ in Nottingham on Thursday alongside her TV producer, actor and writer fiancé Jonny Owen.
The pair were given a tour of the multi-million pound building where they met the equivalent of Vicky’s character as well as Steve Arnett and Ted Hastings.
The Nottingham-born actress, who also recently starred in the crime thriller Trigger Point, said: “It’s fascinating, having access to something like this is a real privilege.
“I met the equivalent of Kate, Steve and Hastings and they are doing their jobs brilliantly.
“We were talking about comparisons but they don’t really compare obviously.
“They’ve probably got things going on in their private lives but not as much drama going on.
“It’s a real honour to be asked here and see the incredible work that’s being done.
“You don’t tend to get access to these kind of facilities so I do feel really lucky to get this opportunity.
“The new building is really great and it’s clear the people inside it are working really hard.
“It’s been a real honour to meet people knowing they’re trying to keep people safe.”
Vicky also cut the ribbon to declare the headquarters officially open before watching a passing out parade of new recruits.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Williams said Line of Duty had “done wonders for recruitment” to the force.
She said: “The programme, yes, it’s a drama but it’s done wonders for us in terms of recruitment.
“People do want to work for us but are perhaps a bit disappointed when they realise there is more paperwork and fewer guns than there is in Line of Duty.”
And the force joked that Vicky, who has an eye for “bent coppers”, did not have any concerns after meeting their officers and staff.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “I was delighted to welcome Vicky and Jonny to our joint headquarters and am extremely grateful to them for officially opening our new building.
“We have a lot of Line of Duty fans in the force and it was nice to be able to reward their hard work with today’s visit.
“We’re really proud of our new building and how we are working together with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to better serve the public and also save money.
“It’s a project Vicky could relate to given AC-12 underwent its own merger last year.
“She also knows a thing or two about ‘bent coppers’ and I’m pleased to report she did not have any concerns after meeting our officers and staff.”
The multi-functional shared facility contains shared office space, a training school, conference rooms, a new police-control room, a sports hall, gymnasium and canteen.
Chief Fire Officer Craig Parkin added: “We really enjoyed welcoming Vicky and Jonny here and showing them the great work, our staff do to keep communities safe.
“Most of our staff based at our old headquarters have now moved to joint headquarters and are continuing to settle into their new place of work.
“We’re particularly proud that Pulp Friction, a social enterprise that supports people with learning disabilities, are running the canteen here and providing excellent food, as they did for us at our old headquarters.
“We look forward to continuing work with Nottinghamshire Police at our new home, just as we collaborate together every day for the communities were here to serve.”
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