A TOWN has said goodbye to its local police officer. 

Police community support officer (PCSO) Ben Howard has served the community of Whitchurch, along with other areas including Overton, Oakley, Hurstbourne Priors and St Mary Bourne, for near four years but has left the job to take on a new position closer to his home.

He completed his last shift on March 1.

In a message to the town’s residents, he said: “It is with sadness that I say a final goodbye to Whitchurch town, after four lovely years policing the beat. I have met some fantastic people along the way and will always remember Whitchurch as the best place to start my career in the police.

“Whitchurch is a beautiful place with such an incredible community spirit and I hope that what I have been taught by the residents, councillors and everyone else I have been in contact with will rub off on my new community in Havant.”