INSPECTORS have rated Hampshire Constabulary as “good” when it comes to cutting crime and providing value for money.

This year HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has for the first time introduced a new way of inspecting the police which has found the force in Hampshire to be providing a good service to its residents.

The force was marked on effectiveness, efficiency and fairness, all of which were judged to be good.

Particular praise was given for the way the constabulary has dealt with financial challenges, managing to make the required saving while at the same time increasing the proportion of staff on the frontline.

The annual assessment also revealed that taxpayer funding for policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is 44p per person, compared to the national figure of 55p.

However, as previously reported, concern was raised over the accuracy of the force’s crime-recording, which was highly criticised in a separate report last week.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “here is good news for people in this independent report. It shows that our communities are getting a good service, and they are getting it for less money than elsewhere in the country.

“It has been possible to do these two things together because we have been ahead of the game in making tough decisions to reform our back office functions and policing model.

“Only by making cuts this way have we been able to keep investing in neighbourhood policing. As today's report states, this is in contrast to national concerns about gradually eroding this key area of policing.

“The report does, however, underline a clear note of concern. We are already extremely efficient. We have already done the innovative things that other forces are now looking to do.”

He added that if further budget cuts are made beyond 2016, the force will be hit “disproportionately hard” and there will be no other option but to cut frontline services.
Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, said the report was “reassuring”.

He added: “It is also reassuring that the report acknowledges a continued focus by Hampshire Constabulary in putting victims at the centre of policing, which is also a priority within my Police and Crime Plan.”