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People power wins the day on policing in the city  

By 21 March 2016No Comments

Stephen Morgan outside central police station

Community campaigners are delighted their efforts have been heard loud and clear and that Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner has now ruled out the option of building a new police investigation centre for the city out in Havant.


Speaking on the radio this morning, the current commissioner, politician Simon Hayes officially confirmed he is now definitely planning to build the new centre in Portsmouth.
On hearing the news, the BBC rang Stephen Morgan – standing for Labour in Charles Dickens ward where the city’s only remaining public police station is based – to offer congratulations. The story broke after the Portsmouth News ran a front page piece on the developments on Saturday morning.
Stephen said:
 “People power wins the day. I’m pleased common sense has prevailed with Havant now officially ruled out for the new investigation centre. There will still be changes to the police service in the city and we will continue to push the Constabulary to communicate and consult widely with the public…
With crime increasing in the city – up 9% on last year and violent crime up 36% – Portsmouth people deserve the full facts. They want to be assured about these changes to policing in the city and that they will only improve services locally.”
Over 400 people have signed Stephen’s petition online and hundreds on the doorstep in recent weeks. Local police and ex-officers had also been in touch with campaigners to offer their support.
To sign the petition and hear about other campaigns on the doorstep in Charles Dickens ward visit www.stephenjmorgan.org