Budget constraints are forcing London’s police department to consider selling off its famed headquarters known as New Scotland Yard.

Leaders of the Metropolitan Police must trim 500 million pounds ($800 million) from their budget. One way to reduce costs is to move headquarters to a smaller building and sell off the current location for as much as 200 million pounds ($322 million).

Police have called the present 20-story building on Victoria Street home since 1967, and it was purchased in 2008 from Land Securities for 124.5 million pounds ($200 million). The police force has moved several times since the 19th century.

Other money-saving changes that may be implemented include having police share space with the fire department or basing officers out of supermarkets and post offices.

Not everyone at the legendary Scotland Yard is thrilled with the prospect of packing up and relocating. John Tully, chairman of the Police Federation, sees the move—orchestrated by the mayor’s office—as an insult to the police organization. The mayor, he said, “needs to look at his own office. He sits in a brand new building on the South Bank. Why doesn’t he sell that to save money? It’s very regrettable that it’s come to this.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff and Danny Biederman

To Learn More:

Police say they may move from New Scotland Yard (by Danica Kirka, Associated Press)

New Scotland Yard sale comes at 'opportune time' (The Telegraph)

UK police might sell New Scotland Yard headquarters (by Brenda Goh with David Cowell, Reuters)