Fareham police station set to shut its doors by 2019

FAREHAM'S police station will close its doors by 2019.
Fareham Borough Council's Civic Offices, which will soon house the policeFareham Borough Council's Civic Offices, which will soon house the police
Fareham Borough Council's Civic Offices, which will soon house the police

The move of Fareham’s neighbourhood policing teams to Fareham Borough Council’s Civic Offices in Civic Way early next year will see the station in Quay Street still staffed despite the majority of its officers moving out.

Fareham West, Fareham East and Portchester neighbourhood policing teams as well as the borough’s community support officers will all be based at the Civic Offices.

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But Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of the borough council, said the move will see the police station empty within the next two years.

He said: ‘From what I understand the station will be empty in two years’ time.

‘Of course, for us, we are very interested in the future of the site, as when it becomes available it could be used for a variety of different things.

‘As a brownfield site, it’s suitable for housing, shops or potentially as a parking option and we will look at it in due course.’

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Councillor Trevor Cartwright, the council’s executive member for public protection added: ‘What we are hearing is that January is looking likely to be the force’s moving-in date.

‘We are very excited about them moving in.

‘A move can only benefit both parties and help build on the existing relationships that we have with the council.

The News previously revealed the council’s plans to identify the station site for a potential housing development.

A spokeswoman from the office of Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner, Michael Lane, said the building is ‘likely to remain open’ until the new police investigation centre is built.

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However, a site for the police’s new regional hub is still yet to be decided upon.

The spokeswoman added: ‘As a useful building for many policing purposes, Fareham police station is likely to remain open until the police investigation centre has a site and is built.

‘As all of our stations in the south and east of the county will rely on the police investigation centre location, finding an operationally effective new site is one of the commissioner’s top priorities.’