A HAMPSHIRE councillor has said the Police and Crime Commissioner needs to “consistently” communicate with the local communities.

The Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) heard that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Michael Lane, has championed and delivered positive change in a number of key areas.

These include domestic abuse, restorative justice, youth engagement, hate crime and in supporting female offenders, by fostering partnerships and funding specialist projects with community groups.

But one councillor has said that the PCC needs to communicate the “impact of his work” to the local communities.

Councillor David Stewart, Chairman of the PCP said: “Our role is to ensure that the Commissioner is delivering the key priorities set out within his Crime Plan.

“Our findings show a positive impact on reducing demand on frontline policing and delivering services which prevent crime and support victims.

“While, it’s acknowledged that significant work is being undertaken, much more needs to be done to consistently communicate the impact of this work to local communities.

“We will continue to follow this up at future meetings.”

A detailed report was presented to the Panel following an in-depth engagement exercise, comprising interviews with more than a dozen key community organisations, including Neighbourhood Watch and Community Safety Partnerships, to understand their views on the impact the Commissioner’s work was having across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The review by the PCP follows concerns expressed by the Hampshire Police Federation last year, on the ability of the Commissioner to positively impact frontline policing.

Michael Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner said he “welcomes this proactive scrutiny” in a key area of his role.

He added: “The report also highlighted and recognised the real change that I have made in the areas beyond policing and services focussed on prevention, which also help to reduce the demand on the frontline.

“Engaging with my stakeholders and the public to ensure that I can be their voice and represent their views continues to be important.

“My priority now is to ensure that I set a policing budget for the next financial year which will continue to keep Hampshire safer, and to keep on with the longer-term strategic planning that will create a sustainable platform for my successor to build from.”

The meeting also heard from the Chief Constable for Hampshire Constabulary, Olivia Pinkney, who attended to respond to questions on the increase in council tax for the recruitment of police officers and plans for future staffing.