Residents of the Isle of Wight are being asked to take part in a consultation on whether Hampshire Constabulary should change its name.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has launched a consultation to ask if residents would back the change, to include the Isle of Wight.
She has written to the Home Secretary to request their support, as it would require an amendment to primary legislation, namely the Police Act 1996.
The Commissioner, said:
“Although separated from the mainland by the Solent, the Isle of Wight is very much part of the Hampshire policing area with much of the same community safety issues as other parts of the county. It is also a community with a strong sense of identity. I wish to promote their interests and respond to the concerns specific to the Island in a way that recognises their unique place in the area.
"In terms of the name, I don't want people who live on the Island to feel like they're a bolt-on to the mainland. They are not. The Isle of Wight is unique. I am asking residents if they would support the “Isle of Wight” being incorporated into the name of the force. There would be no rebranding exercise; the name change would be phased in.”
Donna Jones first announced her intention to explore changing the name of the constabulary on her first visit to the Isle of Wight as Commissioner where she met with:
- The leader of the council, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, CEO John Metcalfe, Community Safety Operations Manager Andrew Wheeler and Bob Seely MP
- Hampshire Constabulary District Commander Superintendent Sarah Jackson, also including a tour of Newport Police Station and custody and a meeting with the policing team
- You Trust, a local charity recently awarded funding by the Commissioner to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence
- Young people at the Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit
To take part in the consultation visit www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/