Officers were warned to keep quiet about home secretary Theresa May's 'private visit' to officially open Barrow police station

The minister was the VIP at a ceremony to mark the opening of the new base in Andrews Way held on Monday. Police officers moved into the building in October. 

Some who attended on Monday say they had been ordered by the Home Office not to talk about the event because of the pre-election purdah period, ahead of the police and crime commissioner elections across England and Wales next month. 

Purdah is a period of time in which central and local government departments are prevented from making announcements about any new or controversial government initiatives. 

Barrow police station The home secretary is understood to have travelled to Barrow by car and had a number of Special Branch police officers as part of her security entourage. Special Branch is a specialised department which deals with intelligence relating to domestic and international terrorism.

Dalton Councillor Barry Doughty, a member of the Labour cabinet on Cumbria County Council, described the incident as "strange". 

He said: "It does strike me as being a bit odd. If it was for security reasons, then I would accept that, but for purdah, it seems very odd for it to be such a secretive ceremony. It is a strange one."

The Evening Mail understands the home secretary's visit followed a personal request from Richard Rhodes, Cumbria's outgoing Conservative PCC. Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock was invited to the ceremony but was unable to attend. 

A spokesman for Mr Woodcock said: "We were made aware of the visit last Friday. For security reasons we were asked to consider the invitation as confidential." 

Councillor James Airey, leader of the Conservatives on Cumbria County Council, said he had not been invited to the police station but said the home secretary had also attended an event at The Villa at Levens beforehand. 

When asked for his opinion on the reason of purdah being given for the secretive nature of Monday, Cllr Airey said: "It's ridiculous. Richard Rhodes isn't even a candidate.

"I think purdah is often used as an excuse, for all sorts of reasons."

Theresa May has proved a controversial figure with police, after announcing a raft of reforms and tens of thousands of job cuts to forces across England and Wales. 

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said Monday had been a private visit to officially open the new police station but refused to comment officially. The Evening Mail understands that both Cumbria police and Richard Rhodes's office had been given strict instructions not to publicise the event.