PCSO Alan McCaffery disappointed as only one resident turns up to New Milton police beat surgery meeting at community centre

“IF YOU don’t use it, you’re going to lose it,” a local officer warned after just one resident attended a public police meeting in New Milton.

Tuesday evening’s beat surgery at the town’s community centre on Osborne Road was the latest of a series of gatherings for locals to share crime and policing concerns.

But PCSO Alan McCaffery was disappointed to arrive with fellow PCSO Rosie Readhead and PC Isla Haynes to find the much-diminished turnout.

The meeting was hosted by New Milton Residents’ Association, whose event manager Graham Fearis was the only other attendee.

Speaking to the A&T afterwards, PSCO McCaffery partly blamed a mishap that prevented his reminder being posted on the Lymington and New Milton police Facebook page.

But he also attributed it to changes in the way people like to air their concerns about issues in the town.

“Previous turnouts have not been quite what they used to be. It’s a bit like shop watch and when we used to have Neighbourhood Watch,” he said.

“Society’s changed. Neighbourhood Watch was a great thing, but now it’s all WhatsApp groups.

“My message to people about these meetings is if you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it.”

Mr Fearis added: “I apologise to the police, and I’m disappointed more people didn’t turn up.”

PCSO McCaffery went on to vent his frustration on the Facebook page, but thanked the one resident who did attend.

“The poor turnout has prompted me to reconsider this location for future events as it is not proportionate and/or sustainable considering three neighbourhood officers from New Milton attended,” he wrote.

Mentioning beat surgeries planned for other venues, he promised reminders would be posted closer to the time.

These include two at the new Ashley youth hub building, next to New Milton Rugby Club’s base off Normans Way, on Thursdays 19th September and 24th October.

PCSO McCaffery’s post prompted several comments, some saying they would have attended the meeting if they knew it was on.

There were some suggestions as to how the beat surgeries could be better promoted, but others believed they were a waste of time and resources.

One wrote: “Perhaps the positive you should take away is that people have less concerns at present, but that’s no reason to stop holding them as they provide a valuable service when publicised properly.”

But another commented: “Maybe it might be better attended if the people of New Milton thought that things might be actioned upon.

“I’ve witnessed two open air drugs deals and a blatant road rage today. Doesn’t help that you have to go through 50,000 numbers to get to where you need to be.”

One promotional suggestion was for upcoming beat surgeries to be mentioned in good enough time via the force’s Hampshire Alert email subscription service.

It was also pointed out that some may wish to attend but cannot due to work commitments. Officers were asked to consider holding meetings at alternative times, such as at weekends.

However, one person said: “Maybe the general public would rather see an active police presence on the streets, rather than a cosy chat in a hall.”