Police and Crime Commissioner unveils plan to reopen 10 more police stations to the public

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has today (Monday 18 September) announced her plan to reopen 10 more police stations to the public.

The scheme is part of the Commissioner’s commitment to drive up police visibility and make police accessible to the public once more.

Today, the locations and timeline of the project have been confirmed. The plan means there will be a police station open to the public in every district across the two counties.

The stations will be in Cowes, Portsmouth Central, Park Gate, Petersfield, Totton, Ryde, Yateley, Eastleigh, Cosham and Gosport.

This is the latest announcement the Commissioner has made to bring police closer to communities, improve visibility and support the Chief Constable’s new operating model and delivering excellent local policing.

The Commissioner earmarked £2million in the 2023-24 budget to fund the scheme spanning the next 18 months with plans already underway to deliver before the end of 2023.

Four of the new stations have previously been talked about by the Commissioner but this is the first time the full extent of the plans have been revealed.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “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 said: “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.”

The force was among those to close stations during public sector cuts following the 2009 financial crisis. Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight a large number shut their doors to the public, although some of the stations remained in use as operational bases.

The force currently has 13 police stations that are open to the public. These are a mixture of full time opening hours and part time opening. The opening times of the new police stations will be determined based on local demand. The force is poised to recruit Police Counter Enquiry Officers to manage enquiries from the public. This is so that police officers can focus on front line duties.

This is the latest announcement made by PCC Donna Jones to increase police visibility, alongside the successful recruitment of 650 extra police officers and her commitment to bring back named ‘Local Bobbies’ to every community.