Open letter to all volunteers helping to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safe

Since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner just three weeks ago, I have already discovered the huge and significant impact volunteers make to policing, in helping to support the delivery of my role and in helping to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safe places to live, work and visit.

There are literally thousands and thousands of local people giving their time to support others and to make a difference in our local communities and I would like to take the opportunity during this Volunteers’ Week to say thank you to them all.

It is always important to say thank to you to those who give up their time and go out of their way to help others, but with the difficult times of this pandemic, volunteers have really shown their strength and it feels more important than ever to say thank you. We have seen our communities really come together to help and support each other and keep each other safe.

To name just a few, Police Specials, Police Cadets, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Speedwatch, Independent Custody Visitors, Youth Commission members, Victim Care Service, all support policing, criminal justice partners, the local community and importantly, victims when they need it most. And to give you just a small idea of the big contribution volunteers made during last year, my Youth Commission and Independent Custody Visitors gave 1,296 hours of volunteering and police volunteers gave over 40,000 hours.

I am truly impressed by this and to celebrate and recognise the contribution volunteers to policing and the community, I am pleased to announce I will be launching new awards later this year. My Police and Crime Commissioner Community and Volunteers Awards will provide an opportunity to bring volunteers together from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to say thank you and celebrate the enormous contribution them make.

With my sincere thanks,

Donna Jones
Police and Crime Commissioner