Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed £9.6M of extra funding for Hampshire Police after securing a visit to his constituency today from Police Minister Nick Hurd. Mr Mak accompanied the Minister as they visited Havant and Hayling to meet local officers to discuss Hampshire Constabulary’s delivery of neighbourhood policing.
Nick Hurd spoke with Chief Inspector Clare Jenkins, Inspector Dave Humphries and local neighbourhood policing officers on Hayling Island to hear how neighbourhood policing works on the ground in the local area. He also had a tour of the Hayling Police Office, based inside Hayling Library, to see the benefits of shared public service sites.
The Government has changed the law to allow the local Police & Crime Commissioner to raise extra funds. For Hampshire Police, this means an above inflation budget rise and an extra £9.6M in funding.
In addition to extra funding, recent operational changes also mean the Havant, Emsworth and Hayling Island neighbourhood teams are now working as one team and on the same shift pattern which will allow them to provide greater resilience for each other, and more resources to the area. This approach will enable the provision of greater support to Hayling Island from the Havant District neighbourhood policing team.
The changes do not impact 999 emergency calls, which are dealt with by dedicated 24/7 response officers.
Alan invited the Minister to Hayling Island after some residents raised concerns about how the new model might impact services. But following the meeting Alan said he was reassured that the changes were making a positive difference locally, with the Police Minister also supporting the police’s neighbouring policing plan.
Mr Mak said: “My two year campaign for extra police funding has been successful, and I invited the Police Minister to see for himself how extra funding and operational changes are making a positive difference locally. From tackling drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour to community engagement, our police are pro-active and effective.”
He added: “Extra funding and Hampshire Police’s operational changes will benefit our area, and I’m glad the Police Minister accepted my invitation to visit Hayling to back them. Recent operational changes were not caused by any specific spending reductions but are entirely about ensuring the Hayling neighbourhood police team are better aligned with the work done by their colleagues across the Borough. The Havant constituency remains a safe place to live, work and visit, with an effective local police presence whose work the Minister has endorsed.”
Following the roundtable discussion, the Minister met officers on mobile patrol on Hayling Seafront before visiting a Drugs Rehabilitation Centre in Leigh Park.
Police Minister Nick Hurd said: “In Havant and Hayling I met local neighbourhood police and front line officers to hear how they are tackling crime in their community. I have heard first-hand about some of the of community issues on Hayling Island and the action being taken by the local police force to keep their residents safe. As Policing Minister it is very important for me to see examples of innovative work by police forces as we implement the Government’s Serious Violence Strategy.”
Insp Dave Humphries said: “This has been a good opportunity for local officers to discuss their views on policing with the Minister directly and we’re grateful to Alan Mak for securing the opportunity. Our neighbourhood policing model in Havant, Hayling and Emsworth allows us to maximise the resources we can deploy to all those areas to keep residents safe and it was good to show what we are doing to the policing minister directly.”
Photos:
Alan Mak MP with Nick Hurd MP and officers on Hayling Island
Alan Mak MP and Nick Hurd MP discuss local policing issues with officers on Hayling Island