Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have low crime rates and are comparatively safe places to live according to a new assessment scheme and website launched today (Thursday 11th March).

Clean bill of health in new police report card.

For the first time, people can compare the performance of their local police force nationally and how well crime is being tackled at www.mypolice.org.uk

Hampshire Constabulary welcomes the recent assessment by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published on the My Police  website.
 
Chief Constable Alex Marshall said:

“It is good to see the HMIC recognising the low crime rates within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and that these are safe places to live.
 
“The assessment recognises our strong performance in tackling serious crime and our performance in protecting people from serious harm.
 
“The police officers and staff within Hampshire Constabulary are committed to reducing crime and this has been shown by the fact that incidents of anti-social behaviour are down, crime is down and we are arresting more people.
 
“It is particularly pleasing to see that the HMIC recognises us as a low cost police force which is something we work hard to achieve.
 
“The assessment shows that our black and minority ethnic victims of crime are less satisfied with our service. Our survey results shows that 84 per cent of white victims of crime are satisfied with their experience of us compared with 81 per cent of black and minority ethnic minority victims who are satisfied with their whole experience. We are determined to close this three per cent gap and our plan of work for the coming year has already highlighted this as an area in which we will work to improve.”

 
The review of crime and policing in the two counties by HMIC (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary) found that crime rates are generally below those elsewhere and the chances of being a victim of crimes such as burglary and robbery are low. Hampshire Constabulary is particularly commended for the way it deals with serious crime,  including scoring an ‘excellent’ rating for suppressing gun crime and a ‘good’ for solving serious sexual offences. Protecting people from serious harm is another strength highlighted in the assessment, as well as being a low to medium cost force.

Areas in need of improvement include reducing the levels of crime resulting in injury and criminal damage offences, which are both higher than similar forces.

Councillor Adrian Collett, Vice-Chair of Hampshire Police Authority said:

“This first Police Report Card gives a good overall picture of how Hampshire Constabulary’s performance compares with other forces nationally.

“We are pleased the report recognises the Constabulary’s strong performance in tackling  serious crime and preventing the rise in burglaries, as well as working to improve public confidence and satisfaction. Although a low cost and effective police force,  there is still work to do including improving the confidence of minority communities and increasing the number of crimes solved.

“We will continue to work closely with the Constabulary to help drive up standards and deliver an excellent policing service for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ”