55 years after the decision was made to remove the Isle of Wight from its name, Hampshire Constabulary has revealed that the force will from today (Wednesday) be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
The official name change was marked at a special unveiling event at Newport Police Station this morning, where the new logo, including with the King’s cypher, was revealed for the first time. Lord-Lieutenant Susie Sheldon unveiled the crest to the gathered press and local dignitaries alongside Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has honoured her pledge to change the constabulary’s name to reflect the Isle of Wight as a county area.
Speaking at the event today, and directly to Island residents, Commissioner Jones said:
“The Isle of Wight is England’s largest island and sits in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It has its own history; its own identity; it is unique.
“There is so much about the Isle of Wight which makes it one of a kind: its coastline; its countryside; its English villages; its communities.
“When I ran for election as your Police and Crime Commissioner I promised to do all I could to ensure the police force included your county in its name, and I’m pleased to have been able to deliver on that promise.
Addressing concerns regarding the cost of this move, Commissioner Jones has said:
“At a time when cost of living is ever increasing, I want to reassure people that costs are being kept to a minimum, with no rebranding exercise that would take vital funds away from policing.
“You might not see the changes in branding everywhere straight away and that’s because the branding of police uniforms, cars and buildings will be phased in over time as equipment is changed and updated.
“I have always been clear that money should be going on recruiting new officers and buying equipment and I have been able to achieve both with a clear financial plan.”
Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said:
“Our force name change to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is both symbolically and practically important for our communities and for us as a force.
“Neighbourhood or community policing is right at the heart of our policing model and this name change serves to emphasise the role that your local force has in policing all of our communities across our force area.
“Through the direct and proactive work of our PCC, it is a real privilege for us and our workforce to return our force name to include the Isle of Wight.”
As of today, the local Police force will be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary – and this will be reflected on Island Echo from this moment on.
History of Hampshire Constabulary
In 1839, the Isle of Wight was policed by Hampshire County Constabulary, which also included Bournemouth, and comprised of just 106 officers. Then, 30 years later, Newport Borough Police Service was formed with a Police Station established in Quay Street.
It was 2 decades later, in 1889, Newport Borough Police became part of the Isle of Wight County Police Force which covered the whole of the Island, except for Ryde. Ryde Borough Police did not join with the Isle of Wight County Police Force until 1922.
Things remained the same for some 54 years until in 1943 the Isle of Wight County Police Force merged with the Hampshire and Winchester forces as part of the war effort. The merger was made permanent in 1947 so the force was renamed Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
However, in 1967 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary merged with the police forces in Portsmouth and Southampton and the constabulary started a new chapter, becoming Hampshire Constabulary – and it has remained that way ever since. The merger came just 4 years after a new Divisional HQ was built in Newport, which remains the Island’s main Police station today.
Not a good move, as an ex officer there were always two different cultures between Hants and the IoW, they operated differently and might as well have been two separate forces. The island was always behind Hants and officers with only IoW experience quite poor. Reinvigorating the divide will have a negative effect.
If the PCC and Chief want to gain a headline maybe they could do it via driving operational delivery on the island and not a pointless photo opp…….
I like how they are there clapping for a sign. These are the adults in charge of keeping the community safe. Fuck. Da. Police. Led by idiots and Freemasons.
Until you need them then you’ll be the first one crying
I’ve called them three times in my life and they never came, I’m well aware we are on our own.
What a waste of money etc, when you call them they always answer Hampshire and IOW police. It’s name will make little difference it’s what it needs to improve what it does ,so many officers now over from Hampshire yet they don’t have a clue about Island one recently thought that Ryde was next to Ventnor, another asked me on a main road – is there a junction near by ?. NOT their fault but we need local knowledge as control room has none.
You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.
I’ve never liked the fact that we were governed by a mainland police force so I’ve not really bothered to follow all of the rules. At least I feel we have some ‘say’ in the way we’re policed now although 55 years too late!
Watched this back slapping self congratulatory charade from my car.
All the signs were good for them, bad for us.
Looks like our police precept is set to rocket next march then!
A very very stupid move…now Isle of Wight will get even less support from Government. Who is the idiot that thought this up ?/ If we had a TUNNEL, it would not be so bad, but please tell me, how long does it take police to get to this Island from Hampshire ? And how long would it take Police from Hampshire to get to Island if we had a tunnel ? Did Islanders get a vote on this ?It certainly concerns our well being… who decided that the Isle of Wight should be part of Hampshire ?? Did we get a vote on that too ?? Democratic… NO..
Did we ever get any new officer on the Isle of Wight when the council tax went up
Imagine what this will cost in re-branding: stationery, uniform badging, signage, websites, vehicle decals…
Big pity about the website address on that nice new sign
What is the cost of the new Countywide signs, stationary heading and vehicle stickers?
Not a small amount,I bet!
The soundbite PCC, wants extra money for the Police precept. More police would be nice. Rather than wasted on lots of new signage. Uniforms, stationary rainbow painted vehicles fluffy dice and a nice eco friendly coffee machine etc, etc.
Big deal !! Has the service improved .. no
will the service improve … ?? Well done Donna ..