THE NEW CHIEF Constable of Hampshire has laid out her priorities after taking up her new position.

After just two days in the top job, Olivia Pinkney outlined her commitment to neighbourhood policing, describing it as a “bedrock” of the success of the police force.

However, she acknowledged the difficulties in delivering the services in the face of budget pressures.

She said: “We work with what we have and we do that to the best of our ability.”

She also acknowledged that more civilians were taking over traditional policing roles and pointed to strengthening partnerships with other agencies as being a key part of not only tackling crime but “preventing it happening in the first place.”

“We don’t work in a bubble there is a broader response we can offer. We do have a wider policing family, and we all have a part to play.

“It is important that someone is doing that role rather than who is doing it.”

But she also acknowledged the frustration felt by the public when they didn’t get the response they expected from the police. “I would say to still let us know, tell us about it.

“When we are needed we will be there.”

Mrs Pinkney, formerly Deputy Chief Constable at Sussex police, said she was committed to looking after her officers, following the publication of figures which showed more police officers were suffering from long-term sickness in the face of depleting officer numbers.

She said she has already met almost 200 new recruits currently undergoing training and it was a priority for her to ensure they were looked after.

“It is hugely important that their wellbeing is our priority. In order to get the best out of them they have to be looked after. It is difficult work we are asking them to do. We know how important it is to keep them skilled up and we want to give them the environment they need to succeed.”

Who is Olivia Pinkney?

Mrs Pinkney, who is describes her self as a “keen sports-watching mum” who also plays the piano at her local church. Along with working for Sussex police force she has also worked forHer Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, beginning her career at Avon and Somerset police force.

She is the National lead for the Policing of Children and Young People and the UK Women Chief Officers. She was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

She has a teenage son and currently still lives in Sussex but classes hampshire as her ‘second home’ as she has extended family in the county.