CREATE SAFER STREETS

Commitment to Neighbourhood Policing

I support and welcome Labour’s Autumn Budget funding to restore neighbourhood policing, which includes the recruitment of 13,000 additional police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). This initiative will help to rebuild trust and safety in our communities.

Engagement with Local Authorities and community leaders

• I regularly meet District Commander Mark Hedges at Folkestone Police Station to discuss local crime concerns raised by constituents and the impact of Safer Streets funding. I also meet periodically with the Chief Constable of Kent Police.
• I also collaborate with community leaders such as Reverend Dave Barker who leads the Urban Pastors’ efforts to enhance street safety in Folkestone.

Addressing Misogyny and Toxic Masculinity:

• I am concerned about the harmful influence of misogynistic social media content on young minds. I led a debate on social media use by under 16s [hyperlink] and support the campaign for banning smartphones in local schools.
• I have spoken in Parliament and written to argue for a redefinition of masculinity: to include values like compassion, empathy, and cooperation to combat toxic masculinity.
• I support educational reforms to teach consent and counter misogyny in schools.

Protecting Vulnerable Women:

• I assist constituents who are the victims of violence, stalking and intimidation, and I ensure that local law enforcement officers are responsive where systemic problems are identified.
• I have pressed the Government about measures to support women without immigration status who face additional barriers in escaping abusive situations.
• I support for the Government’s Safer Streets Mission, which aims to halve VAWG within a decade through initiatives like specialist sexual offences teams in police forces and domestic abuse experts in emergency services.