Rural areas to get more Local Bobbies

Extra Local Bobbies have now been recruited to strengthen police visibility in rural areas.

The officers will soon be based in rural communities in Winchester, Alton, Basingstoke, Hart, the New Forest, Liss and on the Isle of Wight.

The announcement comes after Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones pledged to expand her Local Bobby scheme from 99 officers to 114.

The extra officers will boost police visibility in rural communities, who often feel overlooked compared to policing in urban areas.

The Commissioner launched the Local Bobby scheme in January 2024, a year before the government adopted the model as a national standard for all police forces in England in Wales.

In that time, Local Bobbies have been central to solving issues around anti-social behaviour and reoccurring criminal activity. Local Bobbies in Havant received a national award for their role in tackling persistent antisocial behaviour in the town centre, while Southsea seafront’s anti-social behaviour issue was overhauled last summer by a Local Bobby working with youth outreach, specialist police teams to deploy drones, and by implementing dispersal orders at peak times.

The previous Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, praised Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary for the move, describing the force as “trailblazers” for leading the return to visible, community based policing.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Residents in rural communities have been clear with me, they want to see their police officers and contact them easily, just like people in towns and city centres.

“The Local Bobby model works which is why I’m bringing that same visible, local presence to rural communities that have felt forgotten.

“The extra Local Bobbies will soon be in place across the countryside on the Isle of Wight and in the New Forest, and in the rural areas around Winchester, Alton, Basingstoke, Hart and Liss.

“I want to make sure everyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight knows who their Local Bobby is. Please go online and enter your postcode to find out how to get in touch with them.”

The Commissioner’s Local Bobby scheme was recognised in the force’s latest PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) assessment. Inspectors highlighted stronger ties between officers and local people, with Local Bobbies and more public facing stations improving everyday contact.

The Local Bobby scheme was launched two years ago, on 17 January 2024. It ensures every community in Hampshire & on the Isle of Wight has a named and contactable local police officer. The Commissioner is determined to grow the scheme further in 2026.

Look up your Local Bobby here Home Page – Hampshire Alert