Caroline works to support and improve policing, she meets regularly with Gosport and Fareham's Chief Inspector, the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner. She has been on shifts with local Police traffic cops, rapid response team and the police call centre. She has met with the Home Secretary on a number of occasions to raise issues surrounding policing reform and action on immigration and has campaigned for tougher measures on drug and alcohol abuse, recognising the harm this causes to local people and communities.
As part of Scams Awareness Month, Caroline held a Scam Smart Event to equip constituents with the knowledge on how to avoid fraudsters. A number of national organisations such as the Financial Conduct Authority, Victim Support and Barclay's attended the event.
Caroline also hosted a Cyber Safety Event (with the support of Hampshire Constabulary and Parent Zone) to help parents keep their children safe online.
Caroline successfully lobbied the Secretary of State for justice to review the existing limit for causing death by dangerous driving following the deaths of two Gosport teenagers. In October 2017 the government announced plans to introduce tougher sentences for those whose irresponsible driving devastates lives.
Following the distressing case of Baby Stanley, Caroline raised concerns about the maximum sentence for causing or allowing the death of a child; which she believes is far too low.
As a Champion of the Hestia ‘UK Says No More’ Campaign, Caroline is delighted that the draft Domestic Abuse Bill has been launched with 120 commitments to end the cycle of violence. She believes that this is a vital step towards supporting survivors and tackling perpetrators.
A strong supporter of the Upskirting Bill, Caroline was delighted that this has now come into force and perpetrators can face up to two years in prison for this degrading & disgusting criminal offence.
The Government’s Police funding settlement gave flexibility for Police and Crime Commissioners to raise additional money at a local level from the council tax precept. Caroline is pleased that Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed this additional money will unlock the recruitment and training of more than 200 new police officers and 65 Police Staff investigators, and training for a new cadre of PCSOs.
Caroline is a supporter of the Gosport Community Safety Partnership which includes Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Police Authority, Hampshire Fire Authority, Hampshire Primary Care Trust, Hampshire Probation Trust and Hampshire County Council. The partnership aims to work together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and increase confidence amongst the community.
From May 2015 – July 2016 Caroline was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Family Justice. Her responsibilities included family justice and mediation, female offenders, mental health, mental capacity, criminal offences gateway, coroners, burials, cremation and inquiries policy.
