If it wasn't for the prominent stark chimney of the former Ancoats Police Station you could easily walk by without being attracted to the structure.  In fact, in its present state it seems to be nothing more than a brick and stone curtain wall with a series of odd blue doors running down one side.  You might also be excused for never having noticed it because unless you work at one of the businesses in this part of Ancoats it is unlikely that you would stroll by. 

The documentation on listed buildings in Manchester describes this structure as the Grade II listed Ancoats Police and Ambulance Station.  But the Pevsner's Guide to Manchester calls it the Ancoat's Police and Fire Station.  Whichever is correct, it seems that it was built in1870.  You can see it below when it was still in operation.  The image is shown here with the permission of the Greater Manchester Museum and Archive.  If you visit their Flickr Photostream you can see other interesting historical images.

The Pevsner says that mounted police were stationed here and within the courtyard there were stables.  It goes on to add that the station has none of the Gothic features common in police stations of that era.  Instead, "something more akin ot a stronghold was required in this notoriously lawless area."