Policing in Yateley is greatly improved as station reopens decade after closing to public

The mothballing of public-facing services was part of a package of cuts as Hampshire Constabulary sought to slash between £40m and £50m from its budget.

Other front offices on the Surrey border to that closed during the period included Farnborough and Fleet. They came after the force said surveys showed most people would call or email when reporting crimes or making enquiries.

Now, following a change in policy, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones and Chief Constable Scott Chilton unveiled the new public facing counter at its Royal Oak police base in Yateley. Albeit for three days a week.

The new service will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 3pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2.30pm, giving people the opportunity to go in and report a crime, get updates, share information, or seek help – in person – for the first time since 2012.

It is the latest Hampshire police station to welcome back the public as part of the commissioner’s pledge to reopen 10 more police stations and front counters to increase visibility and connect the public.

It marks a different direction to Surrey Police, which has seen the closure of Reigate Police Station, the town centre station in Guildford facing closure, and CCTV services going unmonitored.

PCC Donna Jones said: “I was pleased to be in Yateley today to reopen the police station’s front counter alongside Chief Constable Scott Chilton. Police officers and staff have always worked in the building but it was closed to the public in 2012.

“From today, its doors will be open to welcome residents, businesses and visitors once more.

“I am absolutely delighted to deliver this for the people of Yateley who have unequivocally told me they want to see their police station open for business.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “Today marks yet another milestone in the mission to open more police stations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“This is about investing more policing in the heart of the community and improving accessibility to the people of Hart and Rushmoor.

“We know that people want to know who their local officers are, see them tackling crimes that cause them concern, and be able to speak to us when they need to. The new front counter provision at Yateley supports my ongoing commitment to delivering back to basics local policing.”

Yateley is the sixth police station this year to be reopened with a seventh as yet unnamed, expected to be announced before the year’s end.