Steve James-Bailey

Police & Crime Commissioner candidate | Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Having lived in Hampshire for more than 40 years, I have dedicated myself to public service.

After spending 12 years in the Royal Air Force, I Joined Hampshire constabulary in 1989 specialising in several areas. I spent a significant amount of time as a community beat officer dealing with all aspects of the community, including close liaison with councils, adult/children’s social services, domestic violence units and victims of crime. Local policing issues are something I am deeply passionate about.

Following promotion, I specialised as a custody sergeant and headed up the prosecution support team in Basingstoke. I then became a gatekeeping officer dealing with investigations prior to the Crown Prosecution Service.

On leaving the Police force, I have become involved in local politics, especially where policing issues REALLY are a priority.

On Thursday 6th May I hope you will back my 5 Point Plan for Policing and Crime in Hampshire.

Email | steve.james-bailey@hantsind.com

My 5 Point Plan for policing in Hampshire

I spent over 20 years working for Hampshire Constabulary; I care about protecting the public. I know that policing is not just about catching criminals but protecting victims, and being engaged and in touch with the community.

Re-introducing ‘community constables’


Boost the town and rural neighbourhood with visible police officers. This was how it was prior to austerity when police and community cooperation was at its best.


PCSO’s are great, but nothing wins public faith more than the sight of a Police Constable – at time of need or for reassurance, and for the reduction in the fear of crime.


Community policing allows full integration into the neighbourhood, and this includes: Police in schools, community centres, toddler groups, people’s homes, local shops, business, at fetes and on the streets.


Provides valuable local intelligence and STOP crime before it happens.

Confront rural crime actively


Rural crime affects us all – from dog thefts to stolen farm machinery. Rural crime drives a wedge of distrust between those that live or work in the countryside and those that want to visit, while also pushing up the cost of food and insurance for everyone.


Bringing back Community Constables also means bringing back Rural Beat Officers. It is the Rural Beat Officers who speak to the landowners, set up country watch, farm watch and then provide ongoing support and advice. Rural Beat Officers provide a strong visual presence in the country, preventing crime for miles around as they slowly patrol their beat in a marked police vehicle.


We would explore technology, and work with the Border Force, to make the export of farmyard machinery more difficult.

Treat victims of crime compassionately


The challenge is to provide victims with better support and effective aftercare. Being a victim is bad, so empathy and the feeling of support is paramount, Victims must feel that the police are on their side.


It is recognised that not being treated seriously or not providing proportionate support to a victim following a crime, will reduce the reporting of crime. Statistics then become unreliable, and there soon is a feeling of ‘what can the police do?’ People need to feel that they can report crime, be treated with support and taken seriously, and know that their reporting experience will lead to better policing and thus the reduction of crime. This is key otherwise anything we do becomes less effective.

Clean up our streets


We need a tough approach to street drinking, fly-tipping and excess noise, street drug-dealing and general Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). The streets belong to residents, shoppers and businesses and no one should fear being out and about after dark.


We are seeing in increase in youngsters from as young as 10, gather on our streets outside shops and in the town centres, sometimes in large groups, with ‘hoodies’ on.


We have seen an increase in excess noise, fly-tipping and general anti-social behaviour (ASB) – all of which appears to be unstemmed.


Many of us are now witnessing an apparent increase in drug use.


So I am saying that with regular visual presence of a community beat officers and police community support officers patrolling our streets in your area, engaging with all those in the community, then I believe this will not only reduce crime but the fear of crime also.

Make the police more accessible & improve 101


Confidence has seriously eroded since austerity and needs to be re-established. There is too much discontent between local communities and the police regarding the overall communication and crime reporting.


Each aspect of this 5 Point Plan is intrinsically linked, and so it follows that the necessity to report crime by community members is important.


Some will be more comfortable doing this online whilst others would prefer to use the 101 system – or talk to a police officer. We should cater for all. 101 is failing, with so many people now openly saying how long they must wait, or being cut off, or a voicemail telling them to go online.


Ideas should be actively explored for the public to report crime in person and/or seek advice. This could be attained with several cost-effective ways. For example, using inexpensive empty retail premises as long or short term ‘pop-up’ police hubs. This in turn would increase police visibility on the high street.


Current practices are perceived as not putting the victim first, and there are many stories of victims just ‘giving up’ and letting, sometimes serious crime, go unreported.


We MUST improve the 101 system and provide a much better physical reporting system.