Residents and businesses in Ryde on the Isle of Wight have welcomed the official reopening of the town’s police station to the public.
Members of the public gathered for the official opening on Friday (25 October) by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, and the Chief Constable Scott Chilton.
It is the latest police station to be opened as part of the Commissioner’s pledge to drive up police visibility across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
PCC Donna Jones said:
“I am delighted that the people who live and work in Ryde can be better connected to their police force once more.
"It was fantastic to mark this important occasion alongside the people of Ryde, the Chief Constable, the Island’s High Sheriff, and the Mayor of Ryde.
“The police station shut its doors to the public in 2014.
"Since then, police officers and staff continued to work in the building but the public were not able to go in and report a crime, get updates, or seek help and reassurance. Now, a decade later, the police station has opened its doors again.
"This is a landmark day ensuring safer communities in Ryde and across the whole of the Island."
L-R: Ryde Mayor, Cllr Richard May, Isle of Wight High Sheriff Graham Biss, PCC Donna Jones & Chief Constable Scott Chilton
Chief Constable Scott Chilton said:
“The provision of front counter services for the public at Ryde Police Station is incredibly important as it really does help to place us in the heart of one of the key communities we serve on the Island.
“Ryde has a large population, but it is also a key transport hub for visitors from across the Solent.
"Today is about ensuring that we are accessible to all of our communities. Ryde Police Station will provide a focal point where you will have direct access to our dedicated workforce, which we know is something that local people have asked for.
“As Chief Constable, I have vowed to deliver exceptional local policing and I hope that today’s opening demonstrates my ongoing commitment to that.”
Former Ryde police officer, Bill Kerr, at today's official reopening
Friday’s official reopening was a special trip down memory lane for former police officer, Bill Kerr, who was a Constable at Ryde from 1959 to 1974:
He said:
“I’m so pleased to have been here today for the official reopening of the police station.
"It is quite an emotional moment for me when I think back to my policing days in Ryde. I’m delighted to have attended today’s event.”
The new front counter at the Ryde police base on Station Street will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 3pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2:30pm.
The Isle of Wight now has three publicly accessible police stations.
The Police and Crime Commissioner opened the new Cowes Police Station in January this year, while the police base in Newport has remained open every day to the public.
PCC Donna Jones added:
“I am delivering on my promise to the people of the Isle of Wight to increase police accessibility, engagement, and visibility. Police officers must be seen at the heart of their communities.
“By the end of 2024, I will have opened seven police stations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. There are more to come in 2025.”
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