Police Stations to Reopen Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

In a significant move to enhance police visibility and accessibility for the public, Hampshire’s Police Commissioner, Donna Jones, has unveiled a plan to reopen 10 police stations in the region. This initiative is part of Commissioner Jones’ commitment to strengthening community policing and ensuring that the police remain connected to the communities they serve.

The locations and timeline for this ambitious project have been officially confirmed, marking a milestone in the efforts to boost police presence across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. With these developments, there will soon be a police station open to the public in every district across these two counties.

The identified locations for the reopened or newly established police stations are as follows:

West Cowes (new base) – Expected to open by the end of 2023
Portsmouth Central (reopening) – Anticipated in Spring 2024
Park Gate (reopening) – Expected to reopen in Spring 2024
Petersfield (new base) – Set for the Summer of 2024
Totton (reopening) – Anticipated in Autumn 2024
Ryde (reopening) – Also set to reopen in Autumn 2024
Yateley (reopening) – Expected in Autumn 2024
Eastleigh (new base) – Early 2025
Cosham (new base) – Also planned for Early 2025
Gosport (relocating back) – Timeline to be confirmed

Commissioner Donna Jones, who earmarked £2 million in the 2023-24 budget to fund this initiative over the next 18 months, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m delighted to announce my plan to reopen ten police stations over the next 18 months to ensure the public feel connected to their police force once more.

“As Commissioner, I know the closure of police stations has hugely affected communities. People have told me they don’t feel connected to police, they don’t see police in their neighbourhood. The Chief and I want to change that.

“My plan will ensure there is a police station open to the public in every district across our two counties. This means people will be able to pop into their local station to report a crime, hand over property, or simply to get advice or seek reassurance.

“This plan supports the Chief’s new operating model of delivering excellent neighbourhood policing. Increasing the number of police stations open to the public from 13 to 23 will drive up police visibility and put officers back in the heart of communities.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton echoed this sentiment, stating, “Visible and accessible local policing matters. Today’s announcement that more police stations will open to the public is part of a new common sense chapter of policing in Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

“This includes a new policing model, locally focused Commanders, improving investigation skills, and new proactive teams to relentlessly pursue criminals. The Commissioner and I are united in our ambition to deliver a more effective, more visible service for the public.”

Hampshire’s police force had previously closed several stations in the aftermath of the 2009 financial crisis, resulting in limited access for the public. Currently, there are 13 police stations in the region that offer a mix of full-time and part-time opening hours. The new police stations’ opening times will be tailored to meet local demand, and the force plans to recruit Police Counter Enquiry Officers, allowing police officers to concentrate on frontline duties.

This announcement is part of a series of measures aimed at increasing police visibility and community engagement in the region. Commissioner Donna Jones has already overseen the successful recruitment of 650 additional police officers and is committed to bringing back named ‘Local Bobbies’ to every community, further emphasising the importance of neighbourhood policing and public safety in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.