Spotlight on the Safer Havant Partnership: Chief Inspector Will
Schofield
 Chief
Inspector Will Schofield is the District Police Commander for
Havant and Waterlooville and is the current Vice-Chair of the
Safer Havant Partnership. Chief Inspector Schofield has
written an update on police activity and partnership working for
visitors to the Safer Havant Partnership website:
I have been the commander at Havant for nearly
two years, having arrived in April 2007. This has been a
challenging, at times frustrating but mostly a satisfying and
enjoyable period. We continue to provide 24 hour response teams
from both Havant and Waterlooville police stations and in addition
to this, in April 2008, ten Safer Neighbourhood teams were
established; four in Waterlooville (one of which covers the East
Hampshire District Council area South of Butser Hill), four in
Havant and three in Leigh Park.
I am really pleased with what has been
achieved. Over the three years 2006-2008 all crime was down by
almost a fifth (18%). All crime is down again this year and what is
more pleasing is that there are significantly less people calling
in relation to anti-social behaviour. This suggests that there are
less people having their lives blighted by disorderly behaviour,
being assaulted, having their house burgled or having property
stolen/damaged.
I feel this performance has been achieved by
the Safer Neighbourhood Teams developing ‘ownership’ of their
areas, engaging with their communities and working closely with
partner agencies and groups to look at long term problem solving
i.e. trying to tackle the causes of crime. I think it is fair to
say that we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with our
partners in the Safer Havant Partnership and it is this joint
effort that has contributed to many of the successes.
The response teams have also worked hard over
the last two years, detecting approx. 23.5% (almost one in four)
crimes with a sanction against the offender. This is significantly
higher than two years ago and demonstrates that criminals are being
caught and dealt with fairly and robustly.
On 2nd February 2009 the Safer
Neighbourhood Teams start working a new shift pattern. This was
developed from what works in other areas around the country. It
will enable them to work more closely as a team with daily
briefings and tasking. The aim is to enable them to have a greater
impact in their areas and increase their sense of ownership for any
issues that arise. It will also mean they are working more duties
in their neighbourhoods throughout the year.
The Hampshire Constabulary as a whole is
currently looking to improve the service it delivers for non-urgent
calls such as everyday crimes that are reported after the event. I
am extremely keen to drive this work as I do feel it is an area
where we can improve the service we deliver significantly. This
will involve an appointment system where times can be agreed with
the person reporting to see an officer either at home or at a
police station at their convenience. It is intended that this will
start in March 2009 but will be developed over the coming
months.
Since I have been at Havant I am pleased to
report that partnership working with other agencies/groups has
improved drastically in most areas. Regular contact occurs at all
levels where joint tasking goes on to tackle issues as diverse as
anti-social behaviour, street and domestic violence and
alcohol/drug abuse issues. This has in no small part been
facilitated by Tim Pointer and his team in the borough’s community
safety department. We are currently working together on the
Constabulary’s initiative to combat burglary; operation
Nemesis.
Like most organisations I have concerns over
the effect of the ‘credit crunch’ in the coming year. Key
priorities for policing will continue to be:
- Customer Care - Delivering a quality service by acting with
courtesy, professionalism and respect
- Cutting Crime long term through embedding the ethos of Safer
Neighbourhoods and problem solving with partners
- Catching Criminals and then making most of the opportunities
available within the criminal justice system
- Ensuring the best use is made of resources including
appropriate accountability for staff
As a partnership there will be a focus on
crimes of violence both in the street and in the home, tackling the
harm caused by alcohol abuse and continuing to reduce anti-social
behaviour.
Link to more information on the work of the
Safer Neighbourhood Teams >>
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