Local policing areas:
» Alton
» Longmoor
© Crown Copyright All Right Reserved 100022114. 2008
Chief Inspector Phil Kedge joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1990 and has spent most of his recent service working within the North and East Operational Command Unit (OCU) area.
For the second year, East Hampshire has experienced significant reductions in crime across the police command areas of Alton, Whitehill and Petersfield, making it one of the safest places to live in Hampshire.
Overall crime has reduced by six per cent in 2007-08 (5654 crimes), compared to the previous year (5994). This success has come from proactive work in targeting those who are responsible for crime in the district. Many of the area’s persistent offenders have been remanded awaiting trail or have received custodial sentences.
The success can also be attributed to partnership work between police, partners and the community in identifying the issues that are most important to local communities and ensuring that resources and sustainable plans are put into place to improve areas.
The increase of resources in town centres and the use of Dispersal Orders have helped produce a 13 per cent reduction in violent crime.
Over the year, officers have effectively issued on the spot £80 fixed penalty notices to reduce anti-social behaviour and the police will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards those who feel that it is appropriate to bring disorder to local communities.
There has been an increased supervision and monitoring of licensed premises and test purchase operations have identified a number of premises that have sold alcohol to underage children.
As standards and monitoring has increased, the levels of violence have decreased with a significant downwards trend.
Through intelligence led policing and increased community engagement with crime prevention advice, burglary has reduced by 15 per cent compared to last year.
A key strategy has been targeting locations where burglaries have occurred and inviting residents to crime prevention 'Operation Shutout' meetings. By providing crime prevention advice it allows residents to make their homes more secure and deters those who commit burglary.
By directing resources around issues that are important to local communities, incidents of criminal damage have reduced by seven per cent. This very much reflects the work of the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams who work closely with key partner agencies and the district council's Community Safety Team to support communities.
It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of police officers, police staff and our partners that we have achieved these reductions in crime. We fully recognise that low level criminal damage disrupts communities and tackling those who cause such damage will remain one of our highest priorities for this year.
A clear message has to go out that anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This message needs to be reinforced by all communities who should work alongside police to identify and prevent problems.
One of the most significant developments for the district has been the launch of the first ‘Street Watch’ scheme in Four Marks, with members of the public patrolling their own communities to reduce low level problems.
This scheme should present an example to other areas, where people need to take greater responsibility for their own communities and increase their own sense of safety and community reassurance. Communities that engage in the Street Watch scheme will quickly understand and experience the benefits of being empowered in taking control of their open spaces. For more information, please visit the Street Watch website.
One area of concern has been an eight per cent increase in theft from motor vehicles. Regrettably, the majority of the thefts have been opportunist, where owners have left items of value in cars. Common thefts involve laptops, sat navs and handbags. The problem is that when such items are left, it invites criminals, many of whom travel from outside East Hampshire, into the district. Those motorists not taking responsibility in securing their items impact on the wider community, often with numerous thefts happening in one night.
Despite successes in catching offenders, the key message is for everyone to secure vehicles and valuables.
"There are several challenges facing the policing of East Hampshire this year. With continued decreases in crime levels, the ability to maintain the downwards trend becomes more challenging. It is my aim to achieve a further two per cent reduction in crime for this coming year, however, rises may be experienced.
"All staff are looking forward to the challenges ahead in working with partners and local communities and striving to continue to make East Hampshire a very safe place to live, visit and work."
Like me, I hope that the public are very proud and grateful for the dedication of all officers and staff.
More information is available about the people responsible for community safety in East Hampshire.
For other services within East Hampshire, please see the East Hampshire District Council website.
East Hampshire district contains the following stations:
Alton Police Station
Orchard Lane
Alton
GU34 1LN
Enquiry office open:
Daily from 8am until 8pm
We are closed on bank holidays
Petersfield Police Station
St Peter's Road
Petersfield
GU32 3HU
Enquiry office open:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we're open from 9am until 5pm
Wednesday we are open from 11am until 7pm
Whitehill Police Station
Petersfield Road
Whitehill
GU35 9BX
Enquiry office open:
Monday to Friday from 9am until 1pm and from 4pm until 8pm
We are closed at weekends and on bank holidays
Local Performance Information
You can also view details of how we are performing against certain key criteria in your local area. Click here to see the details for the East Hampshire district.
