By Press Release
By Local Democracy Reporter – Jason Lewis
Four candidates are bidding to be the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner (PCC) when residents go to the polls next Thursday (May 2).
PCCs are elected representatives who hold police forces and chief constables to account, and decided how much residents pay towards policing through their council tax. Throughout the four-year term, the role includes publishing a police and crime plan, which involves consulting with the public on their priorities and then detailing how they aim to address these issues.
Ahead of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC election the BBC’s Local Democracy reporter in Hampshire, Jason Lewis, asked the four candidates 10 questions to provide an insight into their policies and personality. Only two of them responded, the Liberal Democrat, Prad Bains and Labour’s Becky Williams. The other candidates are Don Jerrard (The Justice and Anti-Corruption Party) and incumbent Donna Jones (Conservative).
Why should people care about the PCC election?
Prad: It’s an opportunity for Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents to have their say on the oversight of policing in our area. It’s a chance for residents to decide whether or not they think the £3 million of taxpayer’s money currently being spent on running the PCC’s Hampshire office, could be better spent.
I want the money to be spent on reversing the decline in police numbers and getting more boots on the ground to prevent and help solve more crimes.
Becky: The police and crime commissioner (PCC) election for Hampshire and Isle of Wight is vital because the PCC sets local policing priorities, manages the police budget, ensures accountability, impacts community safety, represents public interests, and influences the broader criminal justice system.
Effective PCC leadership directly affects residents’ safety and quality of life, making it essential for community members to engage in this election.
What are the biggest challenges facing the constabulary in the next four years?
Prad: One of the biggest challenges is having enough police officers on the streets to deal with crime. The cutting of 1,000 Hampshire police officers from 2010 to 2020 has created a multitude of issues.
Recruiting and retaining officers and reversing the decline in police numbers is a challenge faced by the constabulary. With our ambition of a return to more community policing and in turn more visible policing, combined with a fairer funding formula for our force, will ensure we get more boots on the ground in our communities.
Becky: Over the next four years, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will face significant financial and budgetary constraints. Careful scrutiny of fund allocation is essential to ensure the best outcomes for residents while building and maintaining trust and safety.
This will necessitate creative approaches to budget management and the development of initiatives that optimize the use of available resources.
Does Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have enough police officers and what should the priorities be for the force?
Prad: No. In 2010 we had 3,830 police officers in Hampshire, today we have 3,403 – this is 427 less officers. There are also 23 per cent fewer PCSO’s than we had in 2019, with numbers still falling.
This is why I would fight for fairer funding for our force who are one of the worst funded forces in the country, and I’d work to reverse the decline in police numbers, introducing more community police officers, who would be able to help prevent and solve more crimes.
Becky: Although there has been a recent increase in the number of police officers, we still have not reached the staffing levels that existed in 2010, before the reductions in police funding.
Therefore, there is a clear need to further increase our numbers to enhance community policing and reassure the public through greater visibility
The force’s priorities should focus on ensuring visible policing and building sufficient capacity to respond to and thoroughly investigate crimes at all levels. Notably, the lack of response to low-level crimes significantly undermines public trust, and addressing this should be a critical focus.
What do you see as the most important function of the police and crime commissioner position?
Prad: Having concentrated power in the hands of one person as the PCC is something I don’t agree with, the current system needs to be changed in order to represent the views of different communities across Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
Replacing PCCs with accountable local police boards is a much much cheaper option, giving scrutiny of policing to local police boards who know their respective areas and the policing issues in them, the best. After all this is about policing, not politics.
Becky: The paramount function of a police and crime commissioner is to serve as the voice of the community, ensuring that residents’ concerns and priorities are heard and addressed.
Simultaneously, it is crucial to hold the chief constable accountable for the efficiency and effectiveness of policing operations, ensuring that they align with the public’s expectations and safety needs.
The police and crime commissioner is a political role. How much political experience do you have?
Prad: I served a four-year term as a Havant borough councillor, during which I was a ward councillor, leader of the opposition, deputy mayor and mayor of Havant. I am currently serving as a Hampshire county councillor and have been selected as the Lib Dem police and crime commissioner candidate for Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
Becky: Although the position of police and crime commissioner is politically appointed, I believe that the essence of the role transcends party politics. The primary focus should be on advocating for and supporting the communities we serve.
I have been actively involved in local politics for two years, during which I made history as the first Labour councillor elected in my home ward in May 2023. Over the past year, I have also held the shadow portfolio for operations, gaining valuable experience in public service and community advocacy.
What is or was your day job outside of politics?
Prad: Most recently I have worked in the charity sector, helping to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of mental health services for different communities within Hampshire.
This has led to real improvements, ensuring that individuals from all communities feel that they can access mental health services in a more equal, inclusive and accessible way.
Becky: For the past 15 years, I have worked as support services operations manager at a business and technology consultancy, where I have overseen various departments including finance, recruitment, HR, security, vetting, and project support. This role demands exceptional stakeholder relationship management, especially as we work with public sector clients.
Before this, I worked with a local charity, initially providing finance and administrative support, then managing a drop-in café for marginalized young people in our community. In this role, I also mentored several youths and facilitated anger management training. My professional journey began after I qualified as a nurse in 1991.
What is the one top achievement you would like to deliver if elected as PCC?
Prad: To help abolish the role of the PCC, returning policing back to the professionals, saving Hampshire and Isle of Wight taxpayers £3 million a year in the process.
Becky: If elected as police and crime commissioner, my top priority would be to restore trust in our police force and enhance the sense of security and safety for all communities throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Crime, in its various forms, affects our towns, cities, and rural areas differently. I am committed to ensuring that residents everywhere—whether in urban streets or rural lanes—feel safer and more secure than they have in years.
What crime blights people’s lives the most and how can it be tackled?
Prad: During my campaign, I’ve spoken to residents across Hampshire and Isle of Wight and anti-social behaviour (ASB) is something that continues to come up in conversations. ASB issues contribute towards some people feeling uncomfortable being out in the community through fear of these issues.
During my time as a retained firefighter, I saw ASB issues in the local community firsthand and fully understand that this is an issue that needs to be dealt with better through more visible policing and a return to more community policing, to ensure all residents feel safe in their community.
Becky: Crime that most significantly blights people’s lives often depends on the context of the community, but generally, violent crime, anti-social behaviour and property crime tend to have the most profound impact.
Violent crime, including assault, robbery, and domestic violence, deeply affects individuals’ sense of security and well-being. Property crime, such as burglary and vandalism, also significantly disrupts lives by causing financial loss and contributing to a feeling of vulnerability.
Should Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents expect to pay more towards policing every year and why?
Prad: People pay a lot in tax, but it all goes off to Westminster and not enough comes back here. The Home Office needs to fund policing in a better, more appropriate way and make policing more of a priority.
We will fight for fairer funding for our force who are one of the worst funded forces in the country, due to the current policing national funding formula. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight force are around £41.6 million worse off than is needed and this is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Home Office urgently.
Becky: Whether residents of Hampshire and Isle of Wight should expect to pay more towards policing each year depends on several factors, including the current funding levels, community safety needs, and broader economic conditions.
The decision to increase funding for policing should involve public consultation and consideration of the trade-offs between taxation levels and the desired quality and scope of policing services. This ensures that the funding model aligns with the community’s expectations and needs.
And lastly, who is your role model in life?
Prad: David Attenborough. His dedication to the protection of our planet has been a source of inspiration to me and through his education, I have learnt so much about the role we can all play in helping to protect and care for our planet. His values and ambitions motivate me even more in wanting to play my small part every single day.
Becky: One of my role models is Nelson Mandela. For me, he is a great role model because of his incredible strength and dedication to fairness. Even after spending 27 years in prison, he chose to forgive and bring people together instead of seeking revenge.
His commitment to equality and his kind, humble nature has inspired me and many people around the world. Mandela’s life shows us how one person’s actions can make a big difference in fighting for justice and treating everyone with respect.
