A MASSIVE 32 per cent reduction in East Hampshire's reported crime figures has been directly attributed to the revival of high profile community policing. The challenge now is for communities to help retain that level of progress by taking active ownership and responsibility for their own patch. In releasing figures for the Alton, Petersfield and Whitehill district for the year ending March 31, Chief Inspector Phil Kedge described the reduction in crime figures as "one of the highest in Hampshire". "In terms of district performance we are now in the top three districts in the force," said the police chief, adding that the figures had been based on the average over the last three years. Significantly, vehicle crime has seen a reduction of 27 per cent, with burglary down 4.5 per cent and violent crime down 13.5 per cent. The only increase was in criminal damage – up 10 per cent, which could be attributed to an increase in reporting. The figures are deemed a real feather in the cap for the East Hampshire force. The introduction last April of a new structure using dedicated neighbourhood officers and PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) has triggered a return to community engagement. But, Chief Insp Kedge said: "It has required a huge commitment by staff to deliver the new structure and policing agenda, which they have done in a way the community should be very proud of." The success is clear for all to see, and the chief inspector wants to build on that success. While vehicle crime has seen a reduction Kedge is keen for people to take responsibility for their actions. He explains that satellite navigation systems and handbags left in cars and tools in the back of vans; "leave people at real risk of finding themselves a victim of crime." A large percentage of burglaries in East Hampshire are down to distraction theft. But the police message on this type of crime if is clear: "If someone comes to your door and you don't know them do not let them in." East Hampshire officers would like to see relatives and friends of elderly people in particular spell the message out. "If you do that then the people who target the area will go elsewhere," said CI Kedge who added: "It is about keeping your own area safe." The reduction in violent crime has been most successful in Alton where the town centre dispersal order has provided officers with a useful tool for tackling antisocial behaviour. A similar order has recently been introduced in Liphook where, in the course of just three weeks, it has been used to disperse more than 20 people, and has resulted in one arrest. On this topic Chief Insp Kedge said:" "Last year we gave out 173 fixed penalty tickets at £80 a time for disorder and 131 people were warned for possession of Cannabis in the street. "This demonstrates a level of pro-active policing which wasn't there before April last year and this has directly driven down crime in the area." On the subject of criminal damage, and although the officer believes the 10 per cent increase could be attributed to a rise in the number of reports from members of the public, it is one of the main priorities for this year. The recently formed "Community Safety Partnership" between Hampshire Constabulary and East Hampshire District Council will be running initiatives to look at how best to tackle the problem. But by far the biggest challenge in 2007/08 will come from the government's decision to reduce the funding for PCSOs . When first announced the national allocation was for 22,000 PCSOs, but before the programme could be introduced in full that figure had been cut to 16,000. Fortunately for East Hampshire its 17 PCSOs were in place before the cuts occurred, but it has to deal with a reduction to 12 PCSOs across the district. The chief inspector does not relish the task of reducing the division, which will leave some areas in the district without PCSO support. The decision is likely to be based on demand and on how the community is currently interacting with their PCSOs and neighbourhood managers. CI Kedge claims he will be looking to support communities who are showing a proactive level of engagement and where the PCSOs can be seen to be making a real difference in the community. The other challenge facing the force is to encourage greater public involvement. The police chief believes that some people have an unreasonable expectation about what the police can achieve, saying: "We can't be there 24 hours a day." But to counter the problem the division are keen to introduce the next step in neighbourhood policing by enlisting the help of "Street Wardens". Working in pairs, the wardens will be volunteers who agree to walk the streets, for just 45 minutes at appropriate times of the day, to act as "the ears and eyes" of the police. They will work together with PCSOs and neighbourhood officers to tackle community problems. Looked upon as an extension to the Neighbourhood Watch programme, the idea is for local residents to dispel fear and reclaim ownership of their community areas by becoming actively involved. While fully briefed warden's would provide a non- confrontational presence. "We are not talking about vigilantes, but about good citizenship – there is no empowerment or authority," said Chief Insp Kedge who believes that the perception of crime is often worse than the reality and if people do make a stand they will often find the problems evaporate.
