Crime commissioner announces 50 extra police officers for county

By Steve Deeks
Published 27th Jan 2023, 16:56 BST
Updated 27th Jan 2023, 16:57 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
The police and crime commissioner for the county has announced she will fund 50 extra police officers for the force to improve police visibility.

The announcement has come after the the commissioner Donna Jones gained support from the Police and Crime Panel for her 2023/24 budget. The commissioner’s number one priority since being elected has been to increase police officer numbers.

Read More
Reckless Southsea cocaine-fuelled driver jailed for trail of destruction on East...

She said: ‘When I became commissioner in May 2021, the public told me they wanted more police officers on their streets. The force pledged to recruit an additional 498 officers as part of the government’s National Police Uplift Programme but I wanted to go further which is why I promised another 102 on top of that, bringing the total to 600 by the end of March 2023.

‘With this year’s budget, I am able to increase the number again bringing the total additional officers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to 650 by March 2024.’