Combined March 26 jw v2 - Flipbook - Page 27
Hayling Herald
Police and Crime Commissioner
From the Police and Crime
Commissioner, Donna Jones
AS Police and Crime Commissioner, recruitment has, and always will be, high on my
agenda.
Since 2020, I’ve made sure officer numbers
have increased year-on-year meaning the force
has the highest number of officers in over a decade.
Sound financial management has enabled this
growth and I am determined for that to continue.
That’s why in my police budget for 2026/27, I’ve
been able to find the cash to fund 36 extra officers bringing the total number I’ve funded since
taking office to 851.
This has been achieved despite reduced funding allocations from central government which
have left PCCs across the country continuing to
face difficult decisions on how to deliver the visible local policing that we know the public values
so highly.
I know how important it is for people living
and working on Hayling Island to see police on
their streets.
They want to see neighbourhood policing
teams preventing and robustly tackling issues like
anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, violence and
street crime. All of which can make communities
feel unsafe.
Visible officers offer reassurance, confidence
and trust in policing and I want that to continue. Community engagement is also key. Only by
working together can we truly address community crimes which is why I’m delighted to see how
successful my introduction of Local Bobbies has
been.
Over the past two years, they have been central
to solving issues around ASB and reoccurring
criminal activity – prompting national replication and praise.
I recently announced that I will be recruiting
extra Bobbies for Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s
rural areas so those communities no longer feel
like they’re being overlooked compared to towns
and cities.
I know many of you may also be concerned
about how local policing will be delivered on
Hayling Island following the government’s an-
nouncement of major reforms to policing. I share
those concerns.
While I’m not against all of the changes, I think
reducing the number of police forces from 43 to
12 would result in forces which are far too big
and unruly. Police performance would slip as a
consequence.
Another concern for me is the proposed timescale. Government wants this done by the end of
the next term of parliament which is 2034. That’s
too far away and will distract core policing.
I believe the real reason the government’s
announcing these reforms is because, 18 months
ago, they laid out plans to introduce 13,000 more
neighbourhood police officers across England
and Wales but they can’t find the funding.
My priority has always been to provide exceptional policing across Hampshire and the Isle of
Wight. That will continue.
n The Herald asked the commissioner’s office
how many officers are dedicated to Hayling Island. A spokesperson said they could not release
the figures for operational reasons.
02392460184
info@haylingglazing.co.uk
www.haylingglazing.co.uk
28 Mengham Road, Hayling Island,
PO11 9BL.
27
