On Friday 20 August, Donna Jones the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight reached her 100 days in office since being elected in May 2021.
Commissioner Jones said,
“Since being elected, I have hit the ground running. During my first 100 days as Police and Crime Commissioner I have been spending time with police officers, partners and speaking with the public to ensure they know I am a Commissioner who will listen to them and take action.
“I have had my first meeting with the Police and Crime Panel, and have met with council leaders and MPs to ensure that I represent local concerns to leaders across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I have visited the Isle of Wight twice to understand specific policing concerns on the Island and recently visited HMP Isle of Wight.”
Commissioner Jones went on to say,
“Representing the two million people living in the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on policing matters and responding to their concerns is important and I am already delivering on the pledges I made to the public and our communities.
“I pledged to recruit 600 new police officers by the end of 2023 and 302 new police officers have already been recruited so far from the Government’s officer uplift. They will be more visible and out on local streets keeping residents safer.”
ASB task force
Commissioner Jones added,
“Residents have told me they are concerned about the rise of anti-social behaviour in their local communities and I have already set up an ASB task force to bring together police, local authorities and partners to tackle local problems.
“I have started a review into call handling to identify ways this can be improved and more customer focussed so that when people report a crime they are kept updated on progress.
“I have met with the rural policing team to see how drones are being used to crack down on organised crime and I am being a voice for rural communities on crimes that impact on their local communities.”
National duties
Commissioner Jones continued,
“I have been appointed at the national lead for victims across England and Wales, standing up for victims’ rights at a national as well as local level, ensuring their voice is heard and their needs are at the heart of national debate and policy on policing. I am focused in sustainably improving the service victims receive from the criminal justice system, particularly victims of rape and serious sexual violence, by taking over as Chair of the LCJB, and will push for improvements in the criminal justice system.
“I have also been appointed as national lead for Serious Organised Crime, ensuring Regional Organised Crime Units are supported to develop specialist capabilities, such as forensics, to work effectively on behalf of the public locally, regionally and nationally.”
Funding
Commissioner Jones finished by saying,
“I have secured and issued substantial national funding to local projects to support victims and reduce crime. Including funding for two Violence Reduction Unit projects to tackle the root causes of violence and prevent young people from getting involved in crime; funding to stop the cycle of abuse at an early age by working with families and young people demonstrating abusive behaviours, and funding to support victims of male rape.
“Looking ahead to the next 100 days, I will launching the consultation on the priorities in my ‘More Police, Safer Streets’ Police and Crime Plan. The priorities in the draft Plan have been developed based on what local residents have told me what concerns them the most and what they want the police to be doing to make them safer. That’s why my priorities are residents’ priorities, formulated together and I now want to ensure as many local people as possible see these priorities and have an opportunity to give their view.”
The Commissioner’s priority survey can be found via the Commissioner’s Website.
News shared by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in their own words. Ed
