Hampshire Constabulary adds Isle of Wight to its name

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones announced the news on Wednesday.

Her request to legally change the name of the constabulary to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been successful.

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Signs at Newport Police Station. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

The official name change was marked at an unveiling event at Newport Police Station, where the new logo, including with the new King’s cypher, was revealed. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “I’m absolutely delighted Isle of Wight residents have their county included in the name of the police force which serves them.

“I pledged to get this done after listening to the wishes of local residents.

“I was honoured to have IW Lord-Lieutenant Susie Sheldon unveil the new crest today, alongside Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs."

Speaking at the event 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.

Acting chief constable Ben Stubbs, IW High Sheriff Kay Marriott, and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

“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.

“This is the most significant change to your constabulary since 1947.

“Back in 1839, the Isle of Wight was policed by Hampshire County Constabulary, which also included Bournemouth, and was comprised of just 106 police officers.

“Thirty years later, in 1869, Newport Borough Police Service was formed and in 1889, Newport Borough Police became part of the Isle of Wight County Police Force.

“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 following The Police Act of 1946 and 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.

“Today is a moment in history, 55 years later, in 2022, I’m delighted to have delivered on my promise to the people of the Isle of Wight and to announce that once again the Isle of Wight is included in the force’s legal name following an amendment to the legislation." 

Commissioner Jones announced her bid to change the police force name after people on the Isle of Wight indicated to her that they felt disconnected from their police force.

On her first visit to the Isle of Wight after she was elected into office in June 2021, she launched a consultation to give residents the opportunity to have their say.

The consultation received strong support.

The order was laid down in Parliament gaining support from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before a final vote.

Commissioner Jones added: “I hope this shows the people of the Isle of Wight that by delivering on this promise I am a Commissioner who gets things done.”

“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."