This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
This has been achieved as part of changes to police structures which will come into full effect on 1st April 2015.
This efficient approach has enabled the retention of a strong neighbourhood policing presence in the counties, with a senior commander and dedicated local policing team for each district in the counties. These are supported by a “borderless” response capability for emergency calls, and investigation teams which span across the force area.
The new structure is fundamental to enable a required £25m of savings by April 2016, taking total cost cutting by the force to £80m since 2010. By 2017 the cost of running the police estate will have reduced by £2-3m per year.
Reporting of sexual offences
Information has also been released showing the scale of the challenge when it comes to some of the most vulnerable victims.
- The recording of rape in Hampshire and Isle of Wight is up 94% in the year to February 2015
- Reports of sexual offences in the same period are up 67%
- New figures show 8,329 reports of missing people investigated in 2014, 5,979 of which were children
- Vulnerability referrals to the force are up by 100% since 2013
Marsh: “We are well prepared”
Speaking at the UK’s first Forensic Innovation Centre, where police and academics from the University of Portsmouth work alongside each other to develop cutting edge forensic research, Chief Constable Andy Marsh said,
“Policing is changing as we become more and more focused on working with partners to protect vulnerable people.
“We are well prepared, having redesigned the force to look and work very differently, but we have also made sure we retain the strong neighbourhood identity that has served our communities so well in recent years.
“This is a significant change for the force, and whilst we will look to realise the benefits for our communities as quickly as possible we will need time, hard work and support from the public to get it absolutely right.”
Cuts will have major impact on performance
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes commented,
“Public confidence in policing within Hampshire is high, but for all of our progress in preparing for the future, we have also been reminded this week of the looming spectre of further budget cuts.
“As I have been saying for many months now, this would have a major impact on the Constabulary’s ability to maintain and improve its performance in the future.
“I therefore invite the public, partners and those from across the political spectrum to join me in the coming months to make the case for protecting police funding and the new services for victims that I am pioneering through my Police and Crime Plan.”
Image: westmidlandspolice under CC BY 2.0
