Two main Hampshire police stations are to close replaced with one new centre, it has been revealed.

Hampshire Police Commissioner Michael Lane said that both Portsmouth Central and Fareham police stations will be shut.

He said they would be retained until the new police centre is operational in 2019 when they would be moved along with investigative functions at Fratton and Havant police stations

Mr Lane said that he has entered into a lease agreement for a site on the Merlin Park Development off Airport Service Road in Portsmouth.

He added that this will enable the construction of a new Police Investigation Centre to serve the east of the county.

The new Eastern Police Investigation Centre will serve the areas of Portsmouth, Fareham, Waterlooville, Havant and Hayling Island.

The site has excellent transport links and provides operational effectiveness, said Hampshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney.

The new centre will integrate an investigation hub and custody suite, to drive more efficient work with and investigation of detainees, allowing the return of arresting officers to active policing of the community more quickly, said Mr Lane.

He added: “I am delighted to confirm that we have concluded negotiations with the owners to take a lease on this site. This is really good news for the community, operational policing and Portsmouth generally.

“It delivers on my promise to give this project my focus and priority and it will support my objective to keep us safer. I am delighted we are making progress after a long and frustrating wait.

“I have spoken to Cllr Donna Jones, and I look forward to working with Portsmouth City Council and their planning department to obtain the necessary consents subject to normal due diligence, quickly enabling us to build the new Centre on this site.”

The Commissioner’s Estate Strategy retains police officers in bases within the communities they serve through the redevelopment of the estate supporting effective delivery of modern policing now and into the future.