We are currently facing unprecedented and dynamically changing times. The Government announced last week that the Police and Crime Commissioner and local elections that were due to take place this May will now move to May 2021.

Chloe Jay is a Criminal Defence Solicitor and Solicitor Advocate based in Winchester. In this interview Chloe tells us how she chose to work in the criminal justice system to give vulnerable people a voice, how she juggles the role with being a working mum and how she feels that the strength of the justice system is the dedicated and professional people working in it.

On February 14, 11 Youth Commission members had an amazing opportunity to go and visit the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) office in Eastleigh. Casey Taylor, Youth Commission mentor and former member visited CPS Wessex with the Youth Commission members, and has written this blog about their visit. The visit started with a talk from the Chief Crown Prosecutor Jo Jakymec. Jo told us a bit about herself and what her role entails and why she chose to work within the CPS.

Keeping people safer is what we all do together, each playing our individual parts. And, as we approach the end of 2019 and the decade, I am clear that this objective has included ‘hard miles’ of effort and needed us all to dig deep into our personal resilience to deliver the best we can and bring our best efforts to the task of serving and protecting our communities.

In support of the ‘First 100 Years’ project, CPS Wessex Chief Prosecutor Jo Jakymec outlines her journey to her current role, the support and challenges she has had along the way, and shares advice for women working in the Criminal Justice System.

PCC Michael Lane responds to the Police Federation’s pay and morale survey: It would be unsafe to make any commitments before the settlement figures, but I can guarantee that this report and the local representations will be part of the consideration of the budget.

To properly deal with Hate Crime it is vital that all incidents taking place are reported. Many go under reported, which is a problem considering the effect Hate Crime has on individuals, their families and a community.

I was excited to visit Portsmouth’s new custody suite. I have heard that this new Police Investigation Centre (or PIC) is a flagship building. I’d been to Portsmouth’s old suite a few years back so I was keen to see what had changed. More than that, I love that it’s called EPIC. My seven-year-old calls all good things ‘epic’, it felt like a good omen and I was pleased to be welcomed along for a shift. I was not disappointed.

Business Crime Reduction Partnerships work in partnership with the police and the local authority to reduce the negative impact of crime and disorder on businesses. They are a civil body in their own right governed by a body elected from its own member businesses. They share information and use jointly agreed enforcement rights to restrict access to premises and enforce self-established civil banning orders.

Today sees the start of ‘Operation Limelight’, a national operation at airports across the country to protect those that are vulnerable and at risk of Forced Marriage or Female Genital Mutilation.

The Commissioner responds to the Home Office Frontline Review which prioritises wellbeing and mental health of officers

Keeping our rural communities safer remains high on my agenda. Recently I awarded funding to Hampshire Constabulary Country Watch for crime prevention initiatives, which have been recognised as best practice in rural crime prevention.

It is my belief that initiatives, such as the projects below, are crucial to tackling hate crime early on and promoting inclusive communities where everyone feels safe, regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation, race, gender identity, or disabilities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane responded to Hampshire Constabulary’s use of Community Resolution:

During Volunteers Week, Sarah Arnold, who has been a member and volunteer with the Youth Commission since December 2017, gives an insight into what it means to volunteer as a Youth Commission member. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner was delighted to hold his annual Safer Together event on 18 May; this year it took place at Cascades Shopping Centre in Portsmouth. The event brought together 14 local partners, who deliver commissioned projects that support the vulnerable, work with those at risk of offending and help victims of crime.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I and Hampshire Constabulary continue to work closely with the National Crime Agency to tackle and prevent serious and organised crime and to support victims of it. And I continue to fight for the right funding to deliver the modern policing response that this complex and rapidly evolving type of crime requires.

Policing, the Criminal Justice System, support and intervention services all have to move and adapt with the changing nature of crime. But how do we know we are making the right decisions when it comes to shaping and investing in services or influencing policies?

This week is National Stalking Awareness Week – an important week that helps shine a light on the blight that stalking and harassment brings to too many lives. This is vulnerability and risk that I and other PCCs have worked to mitigate, putting in place measures that protect and support victims.

Since the Police and Crime Commissioner first commissioned a Restorative Justice (RJ) service across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton in 2016, the number of people contacting or being referred to the service has been rising steadily. But should it really be used for any crime type, including domestic and sexual abuse cases?