Calls for more officers to support 'under-resourced' police

Matt Renyard, councillor for Coxford ward, is asking for more police officers “in response to residents’ complaints about anti-social behaviour rising”.

The news comes as last year in a deputation given to the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel at Hampshire County Council,  some Southampton residents affected by a spate of crime raised their concerns.

Cllr Renyard said residents have contacted him regularly.

He added: “I have been liaising with the local Southampton West Neighbourhood Police Team (Redbridge, Millbrook and Coxford Wards) for the last couple of years on the increasing level of anti-social behaviour. Residents have contacted me on a regular basis about the escalating problem of motorbike crime and anti-social behaviour using motorbikes.

"Our local police do their best, but they have been under-resourced for 10 years.

"This led myself and local residents to take a deputation to the Hampshire and IoW Police and Crime Commissioner where we raised the issue of local police numbers and a lack of resources generally.”

Hampshire Constabulary said recruitment for more officers is still ongoing but where the new officers will be deployed is yet to be confirmed.

In a statement the force said: “We are always updating where we deploy our officers and staff, based on the latest information about where the highest risk and harm is within communities. In January this year, Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney made an operational case, following public consultation, for a £15 increase in council tax in order to continue local investment in policing.

"This will support the Chief Constable’s plans to replace all of the officers that leave the Constabulary, and on top of this seek to recruit an additional 146 officers.

"Many of the new officers will go on to police local communities but exactly how many and where is constantly being assessed.”

The police also encouraged people to report all crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour.