The Isle of Wight is set for an enhanced roads policing service following a U-turn which will see the re-introduction of a dedicated team.
As recently as January 31, Hampshire Constabulary said it had no plans for a dedicated police unit, but following a review conducted with the support of Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, that has now changed.
The Commissioner has committed to an additional 600 police officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by 2023.
Read more: No plans for dedicated road police on Isle of Wight
As part of the officer uplift commitment for the next financial year, additional roads policing posts are being created across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This gives the force the capacity and flexibility to invest in this specialist area of policing on the Island.
As part of austerity measures introduced in 2016, specialist armed response vehicle (ARV) officers posted to the Isle of Wight also carry-out specific roads policing duties.
They work alongside Response Policing officers to support the force’s commitment to road safety, and are supported by officers based on the mainland when necessary.
Under the new proposals an additional unit of two dedicated roads policing officers will be established on the Island that will complement the ARV and Response Policing capability.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said:
“I am delighted that my commitment to recruit additional officers has meant that the resources are available to enable the Constabulary to reintroduce a dedicated Roads Policing Team on the Island and improve safety for all road users."
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, Head of Joint Operations for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police said:
“I have every confidence that this additional resourcing for the Isle of Wight will help to keep road users safe and improve the service we provide to our communities on the Island.”
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