Victim Support

Chief Superintendent David Peacock was one of our guest speakers at our agm in January 2008

Successor to John Campbell who was Chief Guest at last year’s AGM. David Peacock, having spent 23 years in the Metropolitan Police, was transferred two years ago to Hampshire Constabulary to be in charge of investigating police corruption and eight weeks ago was appointed Head of Portsmouth Police. The Chief Superintendent looked forward to a Question & Answer session but prior to that made the following points:- 2007/8 was the quietest New Year’s Eve in Portsmouth for five years, thanks principally to the very strong line taken by the police concerning alcohol, vehicle crime in Portsmouth is down by 22%, overall crime down by 10%, between January ’06 and December ’07 there were 2,376 fewer victims of crime than in the previous equivalent period, 43% of violent crimes now find themselves charged. PCSOs and local Safer Neighbourhood policy is making a substantial difference, funding for PCSOs will continue, distinct terrorist targets (Spinnaker Tower etc) in Portsmouth, local road policy (20 mph) is working, local police are carrying out a tasking programme (they look at an area for two weeks, decide what tasks should be undertaken then attack it with local officers), last year there were 25,000 999 calls.

Q. What is the attitude of local yobs towards PCSOs who are known to have no power?

A. PCSOs know the yobs and their families and yob attitude has changed. PCSOs can detain and await arrest, there are now 30+ PCSOs in Portsmouth and every area has an allocation. Visibility of PCSOs is what is important. Police may arrest on suspicion, citizen’s arrest can occur only after a crime has been committed.

Q. What is the police attitude towards the withdrawal of the 101 crime reporting system?

A. No final decision has been made but the police are disappointed at Government withdrawal of funding and leaving police with egg on face. Anyone with good experience of 101 should write to local council. Policing costs go up by 8% per year so funding has to start with 8% increase to stay level.

Q. Difficulty in getting in touch with local beat officers – much discussion.

A. 9 officers patrol the whole city at night. The development of Safer Neighbourhoods under John Campbell reduced the Response Teams and this has had to be addressed. Drop Response Team resources and one cannot deal with 999 calls.

Q. Port Solent NW – 700 properties – 15 Co-ordinators – meeting once every two months – sometimes no police in attendance.

Q. Is there a no. other than 999 for contacting a trained operator?

A. No. There is a mobile no. but it contacts the European version of 999 and is therefore a control room.

Q. 20 mph limits are working – is there a programme to police this?

A. The road policing group will investigate.

Q. Can a representative from NW attend the Tasking Forum?

A. Good idea.

Q. Can we hear your good news?

A. 2 people are working on getting good news into the Portsmouth News.