Political comment: Amanda Martin MP welcomes Policing Minister to see summer blitz on Cosham High Street crime and antisocial behaviour
Today, Amanda Martin MP brought Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson to Cosham High Street to see first-hand the early results of the Home Secretary’s Safer Streets summer blitz an intensive programme of more patrols, stronger enforcement, and decisive action to cut crime and antisocial behaviour.
The results in Cosham and the surrounding shopping areas have been clear:
✅ Major offender linked to 29 burglary and shoplifting offences in Cosham now behind bars.
✅ Shoplifting down by 33.3% this summer thanks to targeted police action.
✅ Serious violence down by 23.5% in Portsmouth since 2022, including knife crime.
Thousands of shoppers and businesses have already felt the benefit of safer streets, visible policing, and real results.
The blitz which will see officers in town centres during peak times is part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, which will deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs by the end of this Parliament, backed by a £200m cash boost in the first year.
Increased police presence will be accompanied by stronger prevention and enforcement action by police, councils and other local partners. Local Police and Crime Commissioners have developed bespoke local action plans with police, businesses, and councils to make high streets safe, vibrant, and welcoming.
Amanda Martin MP said: "The Conservatives decimated neighbourhood policing whilst crimes like shoplifting and street theft were spiralling out of control. That was their legacy and communities like ours in Cosham paid the price. This summer blitz is already making a real difference, with crime down, prolific offenders locked up, and visible policing back on our high street. We all deserve to feel safe where we live, work, and shop and that’s exactly what this Government is delivering."
The Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "High streets and town centres like Cosham are the heart of our communities. Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe. The last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and antisocial behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned.
“Today I joined Amanda Martin MP and local police to see the work I’ve called on police forces and councils to deliver this summer. The blitz on town centre crime, here in Portsmouth sends a clear message that these crimes will no longer go unpunished. Through our Safer Streets Mission and Plan for Change, we are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them and making our town centres safe again."