After an absence of more than ten years, a police station has returned to the heart of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones, and Scott Chilton, chief constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, cut the ribbon to the new station, in Cowes High Street, this morning (Friday).

The opening of the station is part of the PCC's drive to make the public feel safer and increase visibility.

Donna Jones has pledged to reopen 10 police stations and front counters across Hampshire and the Island. 

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: police officer, MP Bob Seely, Cllr Claire Critchison, Cllr John Nicholson, chief constable Scott Chilton, PCC Donna Jones and high sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas.From left: police officer, MP Bob Seely, Cllr Claire Critchison, Cllr John Nicholson, chief constable Scott Chilton, PCC Donna Jones and high sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas. (Image: IWCP)

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Cowes station, based in the former Watson Bull & Porter estate agents, is the first of those to open.

Ryde Police Station front counter will also reopen to the public in the autumn, the PCC confirmed.

Donna Jones told the County Press: "The people of the Isle of Wight have made it very clear to me they want to feel more connected to their police office.

"This is the first part of the vision to make sure the public are as connected as they possibly can be to be able to report crimes and anything they need to know."

Scott Chilton said: "Since I was appointed chief constable I made a clear commitment to support the PCC to bring police officers back to their communities and staff have the right facility to do their jobs.

"The opening of the police station today is the start of a journey. We're already seeing crime reduce, we're already targeting offenders and bringing them to justice."

Today's opening also means the town's officers once again have a permanent home.

Following the closure of the force's former Birmingham Road building in 2013, the Neighbourhood Policing Team have been based at Cowes Fire Station.

Isle of Wight County Press: Donna Jones and Scott ChiltonDonna Jones and Scott Chilton (Image: IWCP)

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

The Birmingham Road site has since been taken over by marine equipment company, Spinlock.

The PCC said the aim is for the new Cowes station to be open to the public for drop-ins and pre-arranged appointments at least one day a week.