Are There Police on the Isle of Wight? Stations and Contacts

Yes. The Isle of Wight is policed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the same force that covers Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The island is one of the force's four local policing areas, with officers based on the island, and public police stations in Newport, Ryde and Cowes.

In an emergency, call 999. For anything else, call 101 or report online. It works exactly as it does anywhere else in England.

Who polices the islandSection titled Who polices the island

The island doesn't have its own police force. It's covered by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, which took its current name in 2022 to reflect the island it serves.

Within the force, the Isle of Wight is a local policing area with its own area commander, district commander and local CID. Neighbourhood teams cover each part of the island, and specialist support (roads policing, firearms, marine and major crime units) comes from the wider force when needed.

Police stations on the Isle of WightSection titled Police stations on the Isle of Wight

Station	Public access
Newport	Open to the public every day; the island's main station
Ryde (Station Street)	Front counter reopened 25 October 2024: Tuesdays and Thursdays about 9:30am–3pm, Saturdays about 9am–2:30pm
Cowes	Reopened in January 2024 for drop-ins and pre-arranged appointments

Opening times change, so call 101 or check the force website before going to a station in person. You never need to go to a station to report a crime.

How to contact the police as a visitorSection titled How to contact the police as a visitor

999: emergencies, crimes in progress, or if anyone is in danger.
101: non-emergency reports and enquiries.
Online: the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary website takes reports of most non-urgent crimes and lost property.
Coastguard: for anyone in trouble at sea, cut off by the tide or stuck on cliffs, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

A short history of policing on the islandSection titled A short history of policing on the island

1837: Newport Borough Police, the first separate force on the island, is set up.
1890: The island becomes an administrative county and the Isle of Wight Constabulary is formed, absorbing the borough forces of Newport and Ryde.
1943: As a wartime measure, the island's force merges with Hampshire County Constabulary and Winchester City Police. The merger is made permanent after the war.
2014: Ryde police station closes to the public, one of many front counters across the force area shut to save money.
2024: Cowes (January) and Ryde (October) reopen to the public.

The island has also had its big policing moments: around 500 officers were deployed to the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, when an estimated 600,000 people or more came to see Jimi Hendrix, The Who and The Doors. Read more in our Isle of Wight Festival history.

The island's prisonsSection titled The island's prisons

People sometimes ask about police because of the island's prisons. HMP Isle of Wight, at Albany and Parkhurst near Newport, is run by HM Prison and Probation Service, not the police. See the Isle of Wight's prisons.

SourcesSection titled Sources

Frequently asked questions

Which police force covers the Isle of Wight?

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. The island is one of the force's four local policing areas, with its own area and district commanders.

Where is the police station on the Isle of Wight?

The main station is in Newport, which is open to the public every day. Ryde police station's front counter reopened in October 2024 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Cowes offers drop-ins and appointments.

How do I report a crime on the Isle of Wight?

Call 999 if a crime is happening or someone is in danger. Otherwise call 101 or report online through the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary website. You don't need to go to a station.

Did the Isle of Wight ever have its own police force?

Yes. Newport Borough Police was set up in 1837, and the Isle of Wight Constabulary was formed in 1890 when the island became an administrative county. It merged with the Hampshire force in 1943 as a wartime measure, and the merger was made permanent after the war.

Who do I call for an emergency at sea or on the cliffs?

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. HM Coastguard coordinates rescues around the island's coast, cliffs and beaches, working with RNLI lifeboat crews and volunteer coastguard rescue teams.