Petersfield opens new police station

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has today (Friday 27^th June) opened a new police station to the public in Petersfield – nearly ten years after the previous station closed, in September 2016.

The Market Town will now have a central police presence in The Square, following a pledge from the PCC to improve police visibility across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.

The new station, based in the old Barclays Bank building, places neighbourhood police teams in the heart of the community and will have a public front counter which will be open on Tuesday’s as well as the market days of Wednesday and Saturday. Residents, business owners, and visitors will be able to visit the station to report a crime, share information with the local police, see their Local Bobby or seek advice.

Donna Jones was joined at the formal opening of the new station by Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya, local MP Damian Hinds and Town Mayor Chris Paige.

Speaking about the new station, Donna Jones said: “When I became Police and Crime Commissioner I promised to make policing more visible across the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to introduce Local Bobbies and to open more police stations as points of contact for the public.

“Today that has become a reality here in Petersfield, making it easier for the public to report crime, speak to their local officer or to share information with the police. Putting more officers in the heart of a community like Petersfield will help make this area even safer.

“Police data shows us the most beneficial times for opening will be Wednesdays and Saturdays (market days) as well as Tuesdays due to high footfall. If, in a period after opening, it’s found that the opening hours need to be extended, then I will look into that.”

Petersfield is the eighth police station to be opened by the Police and Crime Commissioner, with more still to come.

Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “The opening of this police station in Petersfield is incredibly important for people across East Hampshire. It returns policing to the heart of the community and provides an opportunity for the public to access front counter services. Alongside our neighbourhood policing teams, we will also have officers and staff from our investigation teams based at the station, which we know is something our communities have asked for.

“We are committed to delivering exceptional local policing and today’s opening demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the community”.

Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire said: “It’s fantastic to see a new police station opening in the heart of Petersfield and I congratulate the Police and Crime Commissioner and her team for making it happen. Having a visible and accessible police presence helps communities feel supported and safe; this new station also complements the ‘Local Bobbies’ scheme, which residents welcomed. Donna Jones and I remain in ongoing discussion about the provision of a police station in Alton with public access.”

To stay up to date with all the police stations and front counters that are being opened, visit the Commissioner’s web page at New police stations and front counters – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner