👮 A Message from Your Local Officer👮

Hello everyone,

It’s your local officer, PC Jamie Christian, here.

A change in your local officer

As many of you will know, I have been the dedicated beat officer for Baffins since they were introduced more than two years ago. It has been a role that I have thoroughly enjoyed and one that I have been proud to undertake. During this time, I hope I have made a positive contribution to keeping Baffins safe, reducing crime and building strong relationships within the community.

After almost 10 years of service with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, I have made the decision to bring my policing career to a close. As such, I will be leaving the Constabulary on 14 August 2026.

With this in mind, I am pleased to announce that PC 29228 Grace Wetherill has been appointed as the new neighbourhood officer for Baffins. Grace has served with the Constabulary for more than 16 years, working across a variety of policing roles, and has been part of our team for the past three years. She is an outstanding officer with a wealth of experience, and I have every confidence that the Baffins community will be in very capable hands.

Over the coming weeks, Grace and I will be working closely together during a handover period to ensure a smooth transition and to bring her fully up to date on local priorities and ongoing community matters. You are likely to see us out and about together, so please do come over and say hello if you see us.

I have also asked that Grace continues to use Hampshire Alerts to keep you informed, as many of you have told me how valuable you have found my updates. Thank you to those who have shared them on the local social media pages to help keep everyone informed.

For those of you who want to receive these communications directly please type in “Hampshire Alerts” to google and sign up from there. Once Grace’s account is set up, she will send a message introducing herself to you all and provide details of how to contact her. The email address will change but it is likely she will take my mobile number, to save you all from having to change it.

Please continue to keep Grace informed of any concerns or issues in your area and provide as much information as you can. I’d also ask that you give her the same warm welcome and support that you have always shown me.

Reminder - Beat Surgery with Amanda Martin MP

We will still be holding our beat surgery with Amanda Martin MP on Monday 27th July 2026. This will be attended by both Grace and I. I am told that this is already looking busy, therefore we are asking people now book in advance. Please contact Amanda Martin MP’s office to book a slot.  To confirm, details are:

Date: 27/07/2026

Time: 18:00 – 20:00

Location: St Cuthberts on Lichfield Road

We look forward to speaking with you all next week.

NOTE: Just to confirm this is NOT our usual/annual ASB meeting, I am sure Grace will arrange this with Darren/Kadir for later in the year

A final word from me

Before I sign off, I’d like to thank everyone in the Baffins community for your support, engagement, and kindness over the last few years. When I started in this role, I think it’s fair to say confidence in the police was not great. I remember getting a rather hard time from certain members of the community at our first ASB meeting at St Cuthbert’s Church. Many of you felt, with some justification, that we weren’t visible enough, that shoplifting was not being tackled, and many did not believe that things would change. Personally, I think we are in a much better position now with our shoplifting charge rates now the best in the district (by some distance), more visibility and better relationships with local business and a better service for Baffins in general. There is still work to be done and I have every confidence that Grace will continue to build on these foundations and take things even further.

It has been a privilege to serve as your local officer and I’ll leave knowing that the community is in excellent hands.

All the best 

Jamie