A new police station opening in Cowes will "absolutely" be open to the public, the Police and Crime Commissioner has said, despite initial plans stating otherwise.

Original proposals submitted by Hampshire County Council, on behalf of the PCC, specified the 'hub', on the high street, would only be open for pre-arranged appointments.

However, PCC Jones has told the County Press that is "absolutely not the case".

"The whole reason I picked this location is so that it is highly connectable for the public so they can come in and speak to the police", she said.

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"There will absolutely be public access at the front counter at the new Cowes Police Station."

The station, based in the former Watson Bull & Porter estate agents, is one of ten announced to be opening across the region, and one of two confirmed to be opening up to the public on the Island.

The other one opening its doors here is in Ryde.

Cowes' new station is considerably smaller than its former Birmingham Road building, which closed in 2013 and has now been taken over by marine equipment company, Spinlock.

Read more: Isle of Wight marine firm Spinlock moves into ex Cowes police station

Donna Jones said a reduction in police spending at the time was the reason behind the closure.

It saw Cowes' Neighbourhood Policing Team moved to Cowes Fire Station, where officers have been based ever since.

They will now be moved to the new high street building, PCC Jones confirmed.

She said: "What's really important about it is it will not only have CID working there, so detectives covering that side of the Island, there will also be what we call the District Policing Team (DPT) - the ones that respond to the 999 and 111 calls."  

She said she hoped the station would be open towards November or December, this year.

It is expected to be open two to three times a week, she said.