Cowes High Street looks set to get a permanent Police presence after plans for a new hub were approved.
The former Watson Bull and Porter estate agent’s shop will now be home to the Cowes Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT).
The Isle of Wight Council has approved plans to change the front of the shop, create an office and a rest area for officers. Proposals come nearly 9 years after Cowes Police Station, on Birmingham Road, was vacated.
The plans were lodged by the Office of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, which determines how police funding is spent.
It is in a bid to make policing more visible. However, there will be no front counter, like in Police stations, for the public to report concerns. Instead, there will be an area designated for pre-arranged public appointments and a Police telephone outside the building.
Currently, the Cowes NPT is based at Cowes Fire Station on Victoria Road.
Isle of Wight Council planning officers say in their decision notice, the High Street shop’s timber frontage is in a poor state and beyond viable repair so it will be replaced by a very similar timber shopfront.
Need a copper? Do you have an appointment?
This is badly needed. Police visibility is a good deterrent to criminal activity. Wish them every success.
Can we have one in all the Towns
No so intimidating as going to the Police station
Wow, really…!!? Sleepy Cowes where nothing happens. What about Sandown…? The HUB of drunks, drugs and unsociable behaviour… ???
Unbelievable…!!!
I feel so much safer
But it wont actually be open .like the last one.