Having successfully provided continuous armed policing for the last 20 years, today (Friday 1 August 2025) the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) officially ceased operations at Hunterston Nuclear Power Station in Ayrshire, Scotland.

A carefully planned and managed cessation process has ensured that CNC officers and staff have been supported into redeployment, retirement or new roles at other organisations, while business as usual at the site remained unaffected.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, showed his appreciation, saying:

“I would like to thank all the CNC officers and staff who have worked hard to protect the Hunterston site over the past two decades. Their positive and professional outlook throughout those years has been exemplary.

“This same professional approach has ensured the CNC maintained business as usual, providing high level armed policing as it always has done at the site, whilst simultaneously carrying out a complex cessation process with professionalism and commitment.

“Many colleagues have supported the cessation process, and I would like to pay tribute to them for all the hard work which has gone on behind the scenes to make the cessation process a success.”  

The cessation was the first the force has been part of since withdrawing from Wylfa, in Wales, in April 2016. The cessation process is part of the normal business cycle for licenced civil nuclear sites – once a nuclear power station ceases generation and defueling operations are concluded, the site security classification can be downgraded.

The formal cessation process was carried out by the CNC in coordination with key partners, including EDF, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).