BOSCOMBE police station has reopened amid efforts to improve response times to emergency calls in East Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Response officers, who are the first on hand when a 999 call is made, will use the station in Gloucester Road as a base for their operations.

Previously, they would have had to come from central Bournemouth and even though the distances are quite short, the built-up nature of the area inevitably meant delays as officers made their way through traffic, Dorset Police said.

Local Policing Area Commander, T/Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey, said: “The additional officers we’ve recruited in the last few years means we now have the capacity needed to reopen Boscombe.

“We’re always looking to improve our service, and people in the area will see an increased policing presence, tackling crime and keeping everyone safe.”

The refurbished station will host five squads of patrol officers, she said, alongside the Victim Support charity supporting victims of crime, which has been based at the station for several years.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick, added: “Boscombe will once again be used as an operational base to improve response times to incidents to the east of the county and I know that the people of East Bournemouth, Southbourne, Christchurch and Highcliffe will be pleased to have five squads of officers based closer to where they live and work.

“I have and will continue to keep my pledge to the people of Dorset to improve the service, put officers back into communities, and make Dorset Police more engaged and more connected to the people they serve.”