It’s that time of year again when I set the police budget for the next financial year. On October 31 I launched my annual consultation on council tax contributions to policing. I know this is a very difficult time financially for the country, and potentially for you as an individual, and I am conscious that any rise in your council tax to support policing will come at the same time as other costs are also increasing. However, policing is not immune to the cost of living crisis. But, I know that any increase in the amount you pay must be considered carefully. I also hear very loudly that you want to see more officers in your communities. More police means more deployments, more crimes solved, and safer streets. That’s why it’s so important that you have your say on continued investment. Please visit Annual Police Budget Precept Consultation: Have Your Say (alchemer.eu).The survey closes on Dec 4.

To demonstrate the work my office delivers, I have also just published my first annual report as Commissioner. The report tells you exactly what I have been doing to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer in my first 16 months in office. Focussing on the nine priorities in my Police and Crime Plan, you can read how I have been delivering on my pledges and continue to be a voice for residents on crime and policing matters. Some of the highlights include securing more than £3.8million for community safety project, pioneering an ASB taskforce with £200k annually to reduce ASB in partnership, and recruiting 600 extra police officers by 2023. It’s been a fascinating, busy, productive, and sometimes challenging time. The best part has been meeting so many people, listening to their views and hearing what more we can do, working together, to make communities safer and stronger.

Finally, I want to talk about burglary and crimes that matter the most to you. Burglary has a lasting impact on people and communities. So often we hear about crimes like this which have been reported but haven’t received the police response we expect. That’s why I am so pleased to announce another bit of progress made with police visibility. Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs and I have made a commitment for officers to attend 100 per cent off all domestic burglaries. This is what you, the public, expect from their force. Delivering straightforward policing and visibility in response to crimes that matter the most to people is right and proper and I expect this re-focus on deployment and investigation to have a positive effect on communities in both counties. I know police officers want to spend time investigating these crimes, and I know they want to get justice for victims.

Every deployment is an opportunity to identify offenders and increase charge rates and Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs agrees with me. You can read our comments here.