Back in May 2013 Hampshire Constabulary announced the closure of Yarmouth, Ventnor and Cowes police stations.
The closure was part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s estates strategy.
Ryde front desk closing
Following those closures and the closure of the front desk at Shanklin police station (one of the three that remain open), Newport and Ryde police stations are the only ones on the Isle of Wight which currently run a front desk service, where residents can pop in and speak to an officer face-to-face.
However, according to the Hampshire Constabulary Website, from 9th June the front desk in Ryde will be closed indefinitely.
Cllr Woodward: “Disappointing to discover”
Ryde Town Council councillor, David Woodward, told OnTheWight,
“This is very disappointing to discover this proposed closure on the Constabulary website – Ryde has the largest population on the Island, and I seem to recall an assurance from the Police last year that the public office at Ryde would remain open.”
OnTheWight has approached Hampshire Constabulary for confirmation about the closure and posed several questions. We’ll update here once we hear back from them.
Previous closures
Ryde police station front desk closed for six weeks last year due to staff shortages.
