Bitterne Police Station will be refurbished for officer uplift

The Police and Crime Commissioner this week allocated funds to refurbish Bitterne Police Station, to allow it to accommodate some of the projected additional 450 officers who are being recruited across the Hampshire Constabulary area over the next three years.

Following a detailed appraisal of the options, Bitterne offered the best available location in Southampton to provide the additional capacity required for the Uplift.

Bitterne provides the best available location in Southampton to provide the additional capacity required for the uplift of additional police officers as a result of increased Government funding. The site also offers the opportunity to integrate some of the design learning that has taken place during the pandemic to ensure we deliver a building fit to support our modern workforce and agile to meet future requirements.

A refurbished Bitterne Police Station will provide greater visibility and accessibility of policing in Southampton that will be welcomed by residents at this time.

ACC Maggie Blyth said: “The allocation of funds to refurbish Bitterne Police Station is great news, as we continue to push on with our officer uplift programme.

She added: “We are committed to serving our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and additional capacity and improvements at Bitterne will allow us to continue doing so in Southampton.”

The refurbishment work project is currently being planned, with the intention that the site will be complete by the end of 2021.