POLICING in a Hampshire town could be in jeopardy, according to civic chiefs.

Councillor Sean Woodward said a police base in Fareham could be non-existent if a deal isn’t reached by next month to move the neighbourhood policing teams into the council’s offices.

Under the plans, 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 after the police station in West Street was earmarked for closure in 2019 by Hampshire Constabulary.

The teams were expected to move into the civic offices in Fareham more than two years ago, but still haven’t.

Cllr Woodward, below, the leader of Fareham Borough Council said: “My offer for the neighbourhood teams to move into the civic offices has been on the table for more than two years now.

“We have agreed on terms but there have been no further steps forward taken by the Police and Crime Commissioner which is quite concerning as I believe policing should not be abolished completely within the town when the police station does close.

“So because of the lack of communication, I have given them until the end of next month to make the decision as I have other clients who want to use the space.

“Once the station closes, it will certainly be a good site for development in the heart of Fareham.

“Hampshire Police also own a premises in Park Gate, which they could use for nothing.”

However, Michael Lane, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, insisted that Fareham will have a police presence.

He said: “This has been a long journey – frustrating for us all.

“I can assure residents of Fareham that, regardless of where policing is based in the future, the level of policing will be sustained.

“My commitment to providing fit-for-purpose police accommodation, in the most effective location is a key element of my estate strategy. This supports both the community and policing.”

The existing police station, along with others in Havant, Fratton and Portsmouth Central will be replaced by a new district hub in Portsmouth which will serve the whole of east and south east Hampshire.

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.

The centre is part of the Commissioner’s Estate Strategy which will retain police officers in bases within the communities they serve through the redevelopment of the estate which will support the effective delivery of modern policing now and into the future.

Mr Lane added: “I am delighted to confirm that we have achieved planning permission for this new centre. This is really good news for the community and operational policing.”

The new police hub which received planning permission last week is expected to open in spring 2019 in Copnor, Portsmouth with Fareham Police Station expected to remain open in the meantime.

The announcement follows the news that crime in Fareham increased in the first three months of 2017 to 809 compared with 679 cases in the same period in 2016.