FAMILIES had the chance to glimpse life inside a police station at an open day in Hull's new Clough Road headquarters.
More than 1,800 people walked through the doors for a tour of the new £30m station, including the 40-cell custody suite.
Officers were showing off the work of police departments, as well as raising about £1,000 for the Cash for Kids charity.
Visiting children were able to try on riot gear while adults could discuss a career as a special constable.
Families also met new Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove for a question and answer session.
Mr Grove said it was "a great opportunity to look behind the scenes and for the community to let me know what they want from their local police force".
Children could pet a police horse and meet the dog unit.
Armed response vehicles, pursuit cars and a fire engine also parked up outside for the day.
Chief Superintendent Rick Proctor, divisional commander for policing in Hull, said the open day allowed people to get an experience of police work.
He said: "It was a fantastic day and it was really eye-opening to see the support of the public, which was beyond my wildest expectations.
"It allowed us not only to showcase the new building but also many of the different functions of operational policing.
"We wanted to open the doors to show people things they wouldn't normally be able to see, like the new custody suite, which had a large number of visitors all day."
The day was also about raising awareness of crime.
Community support officers marked bicycles and gave advice on keeping safe over Christmas as part of Operation Yuletide.
There was also a display showing Hull policing through the ages, complete with old police uniforms and photographs.
Officers from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Humber Coastguard also met visitors.
Mr Proctor said the day was such a success that similar events will be considered in future.
"It was a bit of pilot event for us but I would like to do something like this again in the future because the feedback from the public was overwhelmingly positive."
A choir and the Humberside Police piper performed for guests enjoying a snack on the ground floor.
Some of the money raised from food and drink sales will be given to Cash For Kids and its Mission Christmas appeal, which donates presents to underprivileged children.
Toys and donations for both charities were left in the police station foyer.
Mr Proctor said: "We had lots of support from local companies to give gifts to children who came to the event and for raffle prizes. Hopefully, the money that was raised will put some smiles on children's faces on Christmas Day."
