The police commissioner has backed a government call for named and contactable officers for every community.

The announcement on neighbourhood policing was welcomed by Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as a similar scheme was started in the region in January 2024.

The scheme, introduced by Ms Jones, involves 99 dedicated officers, known as 'Local Bobbies,' whose contact details, including mobile phone numbers, names, and email addresses, are available on the constabulary's website.

This means every village, town, city, and community in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has its own Local Bobby.

PCC Donna Jones said: "As Police Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary I introduced Local Bobbies in January 2024. A total of 99 dedicated police officers whose mobile phone number, name and email address is available on the constabulary website.

"Every village, town, city and community in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight have their own Local Bobby and I’m about to roll out more.

"We’ve seen significant reductions in crime over the last 12 months. Communities feel safer, anti-social behaviour has reduced, crime has come down and charge rates have increased. Its clear communities feel safer when the police are contactable and accessible.

"My pledge to open more police stations to the public is also ensuring people feel better connected to their police force.

"There are still significant issues with court backlogs, delays in charging decisions, and the pressures on probation services to manage offenders in the community.

"When people contact my office, it’s not because they can’t reach a police officer or because an officer hasn’t turned up — it’s because they’re frustrated by delays and failings in the wider system.

"Sexual offence victims are waiting an average of 710 days from the point of complaint to the conclusion of proceedings. That is, as the Director of Public Prosecutions stated today, totally unacceptable."

Ms Jones, who is also the vice chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and lead for criminal justice, emphasised the need for a broader perspective from the government.