The new station is based in Bitterne, Southampton.

PCC Donna Jones officially opened the new Southampton station this week. 

Southampton currently has stations in the city centre as well as in Portswood, Redbridge and Hightown. 

The new £430,000 station is designed to ensure greater police presence on the east of the city. It will be a base for the response and patrol teams. 

Last month, PCC Jones announced the closure of Southampton Central Investigation Centre for “much-needed upgrades”. It is due to close for around a year from next March, but she promised that Hampshire Constabulary services would remain “in the heart of the city”. 

It has been reported that PCC Donna Jones is looking at opening more stations within the force area.  

PCC Jones said: “I am really pleased to open a new police station within my first year as Police and Crime Commissioner. Bitterne is a great high street location, and this new base contributes to working space for the hundreds of new police officers we have recruited, and provides reassurance and a service to the public. 

“The lease on the new police station site enables time to provide a fit for purpose police station for the long term.”

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: “The opening of Bitterne police station is going to make a real practical difference to our operational policing in Southampton. 

“Through the support of our Police and Crime Commissioner, being able to open and locate this new response base on the east side of the city is good for us and good for our communities. It will help us respond right across the city more effectively and enable us to be more visible to the public we serve.”