A POLICE chief has hit back this week at critics who insist that police resources in East Hampshire have fallen to an all time low. East Hampshire District Police Commander, Chief Inspector Philip Kedge, has become so frustrated at the frequency of correspondence expressing concern about police resources, and in particular the tackling of low level antisocial behaviour, that he has decided to set the record straight. And he has issued a challenge to communities to support the police by adopting a Street Watch policy. In a statement CI Kedge points out that since the establishment of the East Hampshire police command area of Alton, Whitehill and Petersfield in April 2006, "significantly more police resources have been made available to the area than for many years". Some of these resources include a unit that specialises in drugs and volume crime, officers who specialise in field intelligence and dealing with the most prolific offenders in the community, and a dedicated crime prevention officer. With respect to a uniformed presence, the restructuring of policing in East Hampshire has delivered dedicated Neighbourhood officers and a significant investment in Police Community Support Officers (PCOs). "The strategic direction and resources have delivered unprecedented reductions in crime across the area – 32 per cent last year – with further reductions already being experienced this year," says CI Kedge who is concerned that some communities may not understand the level of resources now available and continue to call for more police officers to be made available. But, says CI Kedge, "the reality is that the investment in policing has already arrived, and there is not going to be another increase over the next few years." Furthermore, expectation of police response is often unrealistic, especially when linked to minor incidents. "Many officers already work excessive hours out of a dedication to their communities and this is often at much expense to themselves and their families. I feel that communities need to better understand that officers are not super human," said CI Kedge. The police chief believes there is an obvious and clearly defined gap in the way in which communities are made to feel safe and secure, and that is the willingness of communities to help by taking responsibility for their own environments, to help improve their own quality of life and to ensure everyone around them is safe. "The notion that someone can pay their taxes and then expect every minor problem to be left to the police is flawed and only undermines any sense of community spirit and cohesion. We need to move away from such debates and concentrate on what we can all do to tackle community issues" said the Chief Inspector. But, he fears, that while the idea of a Street Watch policy, with residents playing an active part in looking after their own communities, is being embraced by some, it is being misunderstood by others. "This is not about residents confronting criminals, drug dealers, burglars or violent people – the chances of anyone coming across such crimes in progress is actually negligible. It is just about developing a scheme where residents may occasionally walk around their communities with purpose, being visible, providing a sense of community reassurance and reporting on issues that give rise to concern." In a bid to advance the project, Chief Inspector Kedge has issued a challenge to communities to become involved in a Street Watch pilot scheme: "With our current resources and an absolute willingness to engage fully with communities, I would like to offer residents the opportunity to establish the community spirit that we are too often told has been lost. "In doing so, this will reduce low level problems that are perceived to undermine communities. I don't believe that there is anything to lose by trying. The alternative is to keep debating about the taxes we pay and wanting more police on the beat and whilst doing so, we leave the door open for those who want to undermine our communities. "The choice to engage and to work with your local officers is now for individual local communities to make and I hope that this concept will be supported by local councils." CI Kedge has issued an open invitation to Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and elected community leaders interested in piloting a Street Watch scheme to contact him at Alton Police Station on 0845 045 4545.
