The brand-new Cosham Fire and Police Station was formally opened today (4 September) with a ceremony at the impressive Portsmouth site.
Fire crews have moved 200 yards up the road from the previous site in Wayte Street, to the state-of-the-art, three-storey building shared with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary on Northern Road.
Firefighters moved into their new home in mid-August, giving them time to settle into the larger site and take advantage of the modern facilities on offer. Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Neighbourhood Enforcement Teams and new Missing Locate Teams will work from the new building alongside fire and rescue colleagues.
Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones welcomed the Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson to open the building in a ceremony held earlier today (4 September).
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, who unveiled the Constabulary’s plaque, said: “This new station puts policing in the heart of north Portsmouth and marks my commitment to investing in the safety of the community. It’s paramount for policing to be in the right place, and work from modern, fit-for-purpose buildings which help them do their job and serve the public.
“As Commissioner, I am on a mission to transform the police estate to support the Chief Constable’s operational model and deliver exceptional neighbourhood policing. The teams located here are ready to bring a blue-light visibility into the community and respond to calls from members of the public.”
The new station will bring an increased police visibility to the north of Portsmouth. Officers and staff from the Eastern Police Investigation Centre on Airport Service Road and Medina House will be moving into the new building, placing police teams in the heart of the community ready to respond to calls from members of the public.
The building is fit-for-purpose with improved IT and conference facilities, aligning with the operational policing model and Police and Crime Commissioner’s vision for the police estate, ensuring that police are in the right space and right place to serve communities.
Following approval from the Fire Authority to go ahead with the project, the ground was broken back in February last year, before a topping out ceremony took place last October.