Highest number of police officers for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary in a decade

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has announced 90 more police officers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

The 90 extra roles will mean the Commissioner has enabled the force to increase its police officer numbers by 815 since 2020. Once recruited, it will mean the force will have the highest number of police officers in over a decade.

This decision came after the Police and Crime Panel supported her 2025/26 budget proposal on Friday 31 January which outlined funding for 50 more police officers through an increase in council tax. The extra 40 police officers has been made possible following the government’s announcement to provide forces with an extra £100milllion to boost neighbourhood policing. The Constabulary’s share of the £100million equates to £2.6million per year allowing the Commissioner to pledge 90 more officers to serve communities.

The Chief Constable Scott Chilton has welcomed the increase and has said the decision will bolster visible policing.

Speaking on the announcement, the PCC Donna Jones said:  “The year-on-year increase in police officer numbers and falling crime rates is a testament to Chief Constable Scott Chilton’s back-to-basics approach to crime fighting, supported by sound financial management.

“Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is one of the fastest improving forces in the country. We are leading the way in neighbourhood policing with the successful implementation of my Local Bobby scheme; we now deliver one of the best performing 101 and 999 services nationally; charge rates have gone up by 34%, crime has gone down by almost 7,000 crimes a year, and the force’s response to shop theft has been heralded as one of the best in the country by retailers.

“We also have one of the largest reductions in knife crime nationwide, anti-social behaviour has plummeted by over 50% since 2021, and we have opened seven more police stations to the public over the last 12 months.

“It has been another transformative year. The Chief and I agree, this momentum must continue. As part of the extra 90 police officers announced today there will be 15 officers added to my Local Bobby scheme to drive up police visibility in rural areas.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “Last year the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight supported policing with the funding for more police officers. It has made a tangible difference. Crime and anti-social behaviour are down across nearly all categories, and more criminals have faced justice. We will continue to drive down crime and this budget, again with the support of our communities and Commissioner Donna Jones, will help us to do just that.”

Year-on-year police officer recruitment

• 2020 – 2023 + 600
• 2023 – 2024 + 50
• 2024 – 2025 + 75
• 2025 – 2026 + 90
• TOTAL = 815 additional police officers funded

Funding notes

• The Commissioner’s proposal to further increase police numbers with the extra funds followed consultation with local residents. The majority of people told the Commissioner anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, burglary, and road safety were the issues they were most concerned about. An increase in council tax to support policing was supported by 77% of respondents; 64% of people were supportive of a £10 or £20 increase per year based on a band D property.
• Responding to the feedback, the Commissioner proposed an increase to the police precept of council tax by 27p per week which is £1.17p per month or £14 per year, based on Band D properties.
• With this increase in council tax and additional central government funding, police officer numbers will increase by 815 since January 2020. That is a net increase, many more have been recruited in that time to account for natural attrition.
• At the end of last year, the Government gave PCCs the option to implement a council tax increase of up to £14 (per year – based on a Band D property) to pay for policing.
• The PCC’s view is that increasing the council tax by £14 per year on Band D properties (5.36%) balances views of the public and the operational view of the Chief Constable. It also meets the government’s expectations for continuing investment in policing services.
• The precept in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (HIOW) in 24/25 was set at £10 (3.98%) due to the cost of living pressures at the time. That was the lowest increase in the country.
• 61% of households across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are in properties in Council Tax bands A-C and therefore a precept increase of less than £10 per year for the majority.
• The increase in precept will raise £10million worth of funds for 2025/26. The total precept raised for 2025/26 is estimated to be £200.2m*, a total increase of £12.3m after allowing for an estimated increase in the Council Tax base of 1.1%. * subject to tax base updates when final figures are received
• The government announced a further £100 million investment to enhance neighbourhood policing nationally on Jan 31, 2025. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary will receive a further £2.6million per year to boost neighbourhood police numbers which will enable the recruitment of 40 more police officers.
• The Police Core Grant funding settlement from government will be £246million, which is an increase of 3.7% (£8.8m).
• The PCC’s total 2025/26 budget of £494.3m* ensures there is significant investment to enable ‘More Police, Safer Streets 2’, and:
• i) More police officers and operational capability including the provision of 90 additional police officers raised by council tax, including 15 more Local Bobbies that will increase police visibility and engagement.
• ii) Additional public access and police visibility through the opening of new front counters, the expansion of the local bobby scheme and continuing the improvements to the 101 non-emergency service
• iii) Budget for initiatives that create partnerships to tackle business crime, crime in rural areas, road safety, violence reduction and ASB.
• iv) Investment in estate that will provide accommodation for the increasing number of officers in locations that align with the new area operating model
• v) Investment in technology systems and vehicles that are essential to maximise productivity

* subject to tax base updates when final figures are received