Donna Jones Backs PM’s New Crime Crackdown Plan
Donna Jones, Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner, stood shoulder to shoulder with Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, and Kit Malthouse at Downing Street to launch the government’s new Beating Crime Plan. The mission? Slash crime, cut victim numbers, and make Britain safer for everyone.
Local Action Mirrors National Goals
- Violence Reduction Units active in Hampshire, Portsmouth, southampton/" title="Southampton" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Southampton, and the Isle of Wight, tackling knife crime head-on
- Overhaul of 101 and 999 services aimed at faster call response
- New Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force bringing police and partners together to fight ASB
Jones is already pushing these initiatives locally, making sure her patch leads the charge against crime.
Knife Crime in the Spotlight
“The Plan focusses on bringing down crime, particularly violent crime as well as tougher sentences for violent offenders. I am concerned about the growth of knives on local streets and I welcome the recent increased funding to continue to deliver work through the four local Violence Reduction Units to reduce knife crime here in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight,” said Jones.
She also gave a strong nod to tougher police stop and search powers, saying:
“I was recently speaking with my Youth Commission members and they were asking me to do more stop and search because they don’t feel safe anymore. Sadly young people, particularly boys, are most at risk of being affected by knife crime and there have been some stabbings in our local communities. Until knife crime stops, I support stop and search.”
More Cops on the Beat and Named Officers for Communities
Jones has pledged to recruit 600 extra police officers locally by the end of 2023, as part of the government’s national push for 20,000 new cops across England and Wales.
The plan promises a “named officer” system so residents know exactly who to contact in their area.
“I will now work with the Chief Constable to make sure local communities know who these officers are and how to contact them — that’s what residents want,” Jones explained.
She will also review the national Beating Crime Plan to ensure any gaps are covered in her own local policing strategy. Consultation on her priorities launches this month, giving locals a chance to have their say on making their neighbourhoods safer.
