Introducing the new Sector Inspector for Portswood and Bitterne North… and an update on the new Shoplifting Team

Hello, my name is Jeanette Maidment and I am the new Sector Inspector for both Portswood and Bitterne North Wards for Hampshire Police. I grew up in London, in a culturally rich environment and have learnt that respect, trust and honesty are among my key values to getting policing right. I moved to Southampton in 2001 and stayed following completion of a degree in Criminology. I have since raised a family here and consider Southampton as my home. I have been in policing for 18 years, working most of my career in the Southampton area. I have also worked in the New Forest and Fareham districts as well, but 10 years of my career were dedicated to Southampton City Centre as an engagement and beat officer. Some of you may know me from being a University liaison officer or beat officer in the Polygon and Bargate areas.

Neighbourhood policing is a very important part of my work and I am passionate about bringing communities, the Police and our partners closer together. In my current role, I manage two teams made up of Sergeants, Police Constables and PCSOs, and this is my first posting back to the City since 2021. I am excited to get to know as many people as possible, so please feel free to link my teams into your events and if we are able to attend, we will try around our policing commitments.

Please remember to report emergencies to 999, other police matters via 101 or you can report certain things through our website:
https://www.hampshire.police.uk

New Shoplifting Team

PC Pollicott and PC Hatton are our new dedicated shoplifting team. This will be trialled for the next 3 months with a view to extend for 6 months or more should this be successful. Our measure of success will be determined by a number of outcomes not limited to: An initial spike and then reduction in crime due to the pilot starting, which often means we see additional reporting with an eventual displacement (with some incarceration) of those who continue to commit shoplifting in the area and are caught. Feedback from the community – particularly the business community – will be an important part of this. The impact this will have on confidence in policing to address the issues will be monitored.

Jeanette Maidment, Sector Inspector