THE newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner looks to employ 600 more officers in Hampshire.

Donna Jones has unveiled her multi-year plan to strengthen policing across the county and the Isle of Wight.

She commits to recruiting an extra 600 officers by 2023, hopes to improve police visibility and wants to work harder to combat anti-social behaviour.

The plan also includes measures on rural crime, unauthorised encampments and on making better use of technology.

Ms Jones said: "'More police, safer streets’ is my draft plan to deliver for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It does what it says on the tin and will mean a stronger and more visible police presence able to investigate more crimes and secure more convictions.

"There is also important work to be done on improving working with the court system. As part of a balanced approach, I propose more provision to help keep young adults away from crime and for working with partners to help drug users who want to break their addiction."

Once the plan is finalised, the Constabulary and its Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney, will need to support its implementation.

Now the Commissioner is launching a public consultation, to ensure the plan reflects the wishes of taxpayers across the area.

The key priorities identified in the plan are:

• 600 more police officers by 2023

• Improve police visibility – bringing policing to the community

• Tackle anti-social behaviour

• Zero tolerance approach to knife crime

• Prevent youth offending

• More customer focused police calling handling

• Crackdown on unauthorised encampments

• Improve outcomes for victims including female victims of violence

• A voice for rural communities