LAST week made history with the change in government seeing the first Labour Prime Minister in 14 years. The new government has started to set out its stall for change to make communities safer, and my focus is to ensure Hampshire and the Isle of Wight gets the investment it needs.

On Sunday, less than 72 hours after she was appointed, I met the new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper to start my work of firming up the future for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. I raised police funding, serious violence and the importance of neighbourhood policing with the Home Secretary.

I’d like to place on record my congratulations to the new Members of Parliament in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and those that were re-elected, I look forward to working with you all.

My work has continued over the last month, particularly focusing on police stations and the police estate. In the last seven months I have opened three new police stations and front counters and completed the purchase of the former Barclays Bank in Petersfield, which will be opening as a new police station in 2025.

Delivering on my promises to you is my number one focus. That’s why I’ve allocated over £500,000 to be spent on tackling anti-social behaviour. ASB blights people’s lives. Whilst many of the issues are for councils to action, I have tried to work with community groups, charities and local authorities to ensure the money is spent to the maximum effect. In addition to this I have decided to allocate funding which was announced by the previous government, to fund joint community wardens to tackle anti-social behaviour in town centres. The wardens will intervene where issues are persisting and liaise with the police where necessary.

Thank you for your on-going support. I look forward to working with the public’s new representatives to make all our communities safer.