WORK to convert a former bank in Petersfield town centre into a police station should begin within the next month.

That’s the hope of Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner Donna Jones as plans have been drawn up to convert the old Barclays unit on The Square.

The facility will house the town’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and will include a front counter, CID offices and interview rooms.

Mrs Jones hopes the station will open in March 2024 and is “very excited” about bringing the police back into the heart of the town.

“The people of Petersfield and the surrounding area deserve to have a connection to their local police force, to be able to come into a police station,” she told Shine Radio.

“We’ve got all the plans drawn up for the modifications for inside the building and contractors should be onsite within the next month to six weeks.

“It’s going to take about three or four months to do the building work so we’re looking at opening around March time.”

The police did have a town centre base but moved from St Peter’s Road around a decade ago.