Final shift at village police station (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Final shift at village police station

4:56pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in South Winchester By Warwick Payne

IT is the end of an era in Twyford as the final shift has clocked out from the police station.

Opening in 1970 and based at Dolphin Hill, it was one of the last few village stations left in the county.

With Hampshire Constabulary facing funding cuts, several of its buildings are being closed.

Twyford’s police station was locked up late on Sunday evening (January 8) after the final shift ended.

It had seven members of staff who are moving to Winchester, Alresford and Bishop’s Waltham.

Following the announcement last year that Twyford’s station would close, community meetings were held.

Police met residents in Twyford and Otterbourne to hear about their concerns.

Officers stressed that villages south of Winchester would still be patrolled after the closure.

Those at the Otterbourne meeting included Eleanor Bell, who chairs Hursley Parish Council.

She released a statement to villagers this week about the closure, and the meeting beforehand.

She said: “I went with a number of misgivings but came away reassured.”

She added: “Although the teams will start and finish their shifts at Alresford Police Station, they will stay out in the community for the whole of their time, taking meals breaks where they are, and writing up reports electronically using mobile data terminals.

“Otterbourne and Colden Common village halls will serve as satellite bases and there will be plenty of collaboration between the Rural North and South teams.”

Sergeant Chris Hills, the most senior officer at Twyford, said the village and its neighbours would retain a strong police presence.

Speaking on his final week in Twyford, he said: “We’ve had some meetings with local people and we said we’re going to remain in the community.

“We’ll be providing the same level of service, or maybe even slightly better. All that has changed is where we ‘punch in and punch out’.”