SANDRA GIDLEY PRAISES LOCAL POLICE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

The annual Police Performance Assessments which have been published this week show Hampshire police either maintaining or improving on last year's results.

Hampshire police scored excellent both in serious crime and public protection as well as in use of resources and efficiency. They were also rated good for tackling crime and protecting vulnerable people.

There is however room for improvement. While domestic burglary is low the report states that overall crime has increased by 3.2% and while this is in line with other comparable forces, levels of violent crime and vehicle crime are above those in similar forces.

Commenting on the figures Local MP Sandra Gidley said;

"I would like to congratulate Hampshire police as they do an excellent job of protecting the community. They have now introduced 154 fully staffed safer neighbourhood teams which are just beginning to have an impact so we should see even greater things in the future

"The job is even more remarkable when you realise there are fewer than 4,000 officers, 439 special constables and only 296 community police officers to cover over 1.8 million people