Island MP Andrew Turner is taking an in-depth look at the ‘thin blue line’ – policing on the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.

For 22 days over this summer and the following months he will be looking at front-line policing and the behind-the-scenes organisation and decision taking. In a varied programme he will be learning about issues such as child protection, domestic violence, road safety, collision investigation, drug and alcohol abuse and safer neighbourhoods.

He will go on foot patrol with PCs and Community Police Support Officers and out in a patrol car – including a night shift in Southampton city centre answering emergency calls. He will attend senior officers’ meetings and meetings with other agencies.

It is part of the Police Parliamentary Scheme commenting on the scheme Mr Turner said:

“This is a valuable opportunity for me to see for myself the incidents, problems and challenges faced by police personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I will be able to speak freely to officers and admin staff at all levels and see the resources at their disposals and how they respond and problem solve.”

The Island’s MP said law and order was a concern of many of his constituents and this experience would help him to understand what was being done and what more needed to be done by the Hampshire Constabulary. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Justice Select Committee and experiencing these issues first hand will be a tremendous help in understanding how systems can be improved.

Mr Turner said:

“I fully expect to learn a great deal during my 22 days. Talking to front-line officers will be enormously important and I will see the resources available such as personal equipment, vehicles, buildings and the use of IT technology.

“I have spoken to parliamentary colleagues who have already taken part in the scheme and they all said they feel better informed and have a clearer understanding of the challenges police face and how they deal with them.”

He first day ‘on the force’ was today, July 23, and was spent at police headquarters being briefed on the scheme and meeting senior staff such as the head of criminal justice and head of information management.

Tomorrow he will be on the Island looking at child protection and abuse involving vulnerable adults and domestic violence.

Next week his programme will include a night-time patrol in Southampton with a briefing beforehand at 10pm sharp!

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808