Alan Mak MP Off The Fence column: Come along to my community events in 2026
This year I'm holding my three community fairs again. The first one is my 11th annual Community & Volunteering Fair next month on Friday 10 April at Springwood Community Centre.
Then it will be my 5th annual Health & Sports Fair on Friday 26 June at St Joseph's Church, Havantand finally my 11th annual Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair on Friday 23 October at Leigh Park Community Centre.
Admission is free for all three Fairs, which run from 10am-noon. Drop in at any time, and stay for as long or as little as you want. I hope to see you there!
I've recently been out on patrol with police officers at Havant Retail Park, the Greywell Shopping Centre in Leigh Park and Emsworth town centre to find out how they are tackling shoplifting after I called on the police to prioritise shoplifting reduction.
I've previously been on patrol on Hayling Island and in Purbrook and Stakes to discuss ways police are tackling shoplifting in those areas.
Hampshire Police are focusing on prosecuting repeat offenders and using CCTV appeals to identify suspects.
Local businesses can also sign up to UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), an AI-powered, police-supported app that can be used to report shoplifting, share intelligence, and identify offenders.
I strongly support concerted police action against shoplifting, and I have called on the police to make tackling shoplifting a priority locally.
The UKPAC app is a great way of using technology to help businesses fight back against shoplifting.
But I also believe it is very important that our police officers are seen out and about. It is why I called on Hampshire Police to implement the Local Bobby Scheme, which ensures the public have access to a named and easily contactable police officer who is also a visible presence in the community.
To find out who your Local Bobby is and how to contact them, go to www.AlanMak.org.uk/LocalBobby.
Would you like to go on a tour of Parliament and meet me for a Q&A session? These trips have proved very popular and more tours are being organised. Please register your interest at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Tours.
The best ways to stay up to date with the work I'm doing as your local MP all year round are to follow my social media accounts, especially Facebook ( www.FB.com/AlanMakHavant), and sign up for my weekly residents' email newsletter at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Newsletter.
I'm providing free St. George and Union flags to constituents. To get yours, apply online at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Flag.
You can also share your views on local and national issues with me by completing my online survey at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Survey.
Alan Mak MP, Member of Parliament for the Havant Constituency