Portswood Police Station in Southampton given new lease of life after surviving the axe

Four years ago Portswood Police Station was earmarked as one of a number across the county facing closure as part of a bid by Hampshire Constabulary to save £25m due to crippling budget cuts.

But it successfully dodged that fate and now it will be a central police hub serving not only Portswood, but a huge area of the city that goes as far north as Chilworth.

It will have some 250 staff - including 210 officers, which include police officers, PCSO's and special constables, working at the station together.

As part of the Estates Strategy, launched by Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes, the station in St Denys Road underwent a six month £550,000 refurbishment.

As previously reported, the overhaul of the police estate comes as the force faces tough cuts to its budget that will see Hampshire lose 1,000 officer by 2017.

The force has already made savings of £55m in recent years and is looking to slash £25m off its budget over the next two years.

With 33 police stations across the county closed and sold off by 2018, Portswood is one of the few to see money invested.

It has a new gymnasium, named after fallen officer PC Richard Phillips-Schofield, who died after a cycling accident while competing at the Mountbatten Centre, in Portsmouth, last year.

To ensure the station could house more officers, two walls in the building had to be knocked down and it was given a lick of paint, better IT facilities, electric facilities and 'dynamic lighting'.

It is hoped the station will be a technological hub, and there are plans for each officer to have their own tablet and body-warn video equipment in the future according to Chief Constable Andy Marsh.

Mr Hayes believes the station in Portswood is the blueprint for others in the county.

He said: “It is efficient use of the building. It is as cheap, as economical and efficient financially to run as possible so we are not wasting money on expensive buildings and that money we are not wasting can be used to provide neighbourhood policing for our communities which is what the public want.

“So we are trying through the estate strategy to roll out this concept right across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Where many police forces across the country are moving away from the concept of having neighbourhood police, through prudent management and efficient functioning we are able to continue to afford that for the residents which we serve.”