Work has started to demolish the old Bitterne Police Station on Bursledon Road

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has awarded the work to Hampshire based construction company HP Contracts to safely strip the building down to ground level.

The site was shut to the public and the service moved to Portswood Police Station in 2016, five years before the PCC was elected.

The PCC opened a new police response unit in Bitterne on West End Road in 2022. This ensured the fastest possible response times for homes in the east of the city.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “The old station is unfortunately beyond repair. It has been empty for a number of years. When I became Police Commissioner, I inherited an aged police estate with several buildings closed and left to deteriorate. Bitterne is one of those sites.

“Some of the police stations have been refurbished and opened back up to the public. This building is not in a good state. Its layout doesn’t fit the need of the current Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary policing model.

“This is why I have taken the decision to demolish the building. By creating a blank canvass, we leave all options on the table for future investment including a new police station. I will consult the public before any future decisions are made about this site.”

The demolition work will be completed in August. It will not interfere with the road network.