The lease has been signed for a new police station in Bitterne.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner Donna Jones (Con), who confirmed following her election in May 2021 that Bitterne Police Station would reopen, has signed the lease on a new station adjacent to the original.

The currently closed Bitterne police station in June 2021

The new location will “provide an increased police presence in the east of the city”, according to the commissioner’s website, with response and patrol teams based there, “helping to improve response times for 999 calls”.

“People have told me unequivocally that they not only want more police on the streets but they also want to see the police more often helping to make them feel safer,” said commissioner Jones. “That’s why my top two priorities are: 600 more police officers by the end of 2023 and to increase the visibility of the police.

“So far, over 400 officers have been recruited as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s recruitment programme. Some of these officers will be based at the new police station in Bitterne.

“The existing police station in Bitterne has been closed for a couple of years. I am in the process of finalising the plans for the old police station which include a knock-down and rebuild on the same site. I am committed to opening more police stations, especially to provide working space for the hundreds of new police officers we have recruited, but also to provide assurance and a service to the public. Bitterne is a great location and features in my future plans. The lease on the new police station site is for 5 years enabling us time to provide a fit for purpose police station for the long term”.

A commissioner’s office spokesperson told bittermepark.info that “at this stage” the site is expected to be operational in spring 2022.

Sign in window of currently closed Bitterne police station in June 2021