Caroline works to support and improve policing and regularly meets 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. She has also 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. Caroline also hosted a Cyber Safety Event 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 welcomed the passing of the Domestic Abuse Bill in 2021 as this will strengthen support for victims and their families, while legally broadening the definition of domestic abuse and ensuring that perpetrators of crimes such as ‘revenge porn’ and ‘non-fatal strangulation’ are properly punished. For the first time, the statutory definition of domestic abuse will also include emotional, coercive or control and economic abuse, as well as physical. 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 and disgusting criminal offence.
Caroline welcomed the 220 new police recruits in the Hampshire Constabulary announced in 2021 - covering the Gosport and Fareham forces. The figures means that the Government is well on track on delivering its manifesto commitment, that Caroline was re-elected on in 2019, to deliver 20,000 new officers by 2023.
Caroline is a supporter of the Gosport Community Safety Partnership, 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.
