Havant MP thanks police officers for joining his open surgeries

HAVANT MP Alan Mak has thanked police for providing security at his surgeries in the wake of the murder of MP Jo Cox.
Police offered to attend MPs' surgeries after the murder of Jo CoxPolice offered to attend MPs' surgeries after the murder of Jo Cox
Police offered to attend MPs' surgeries after the murder of Jo Cox

Hampshire Constabulary has provided Mr Mak with officers to attend his drop-in surgeries for extra security and to reassure the public.

This is part of a nationwide security review in which all police forces have contacted their local MPs to offer this optional service.

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Security for MPs has been under review following the murder of Ms Cox last month.

Havant MP Alan MakHavant MP Alan Mak
Havant MP Alan Mak

Conservative MP Mr Mak accepted the offer, trying it out at his last surgery on July 8. He will continue to test it for the next couple of months.

Mr Mak said he accepted the police’s offer to join his surgeries to reassure the residents who attend, many of whom are vulnerable, including the elderly and those with mental illness.

Mr Mak said: ‘So far it has been well received by residents at my surgery.

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‘I would like to thank the police for getting in touch and for being willing to give up their time and for reassuring the public.

Havant MP Alan MakHavant MP Alan Mak
Havant MP Alan Mak

‘I have a good working relationship with Hampshire police and many issues in the constituency have a police element anyway.’

Mr Mak runs open surgeries which means no appointment is needed and residents can just drop in.

Despite recent concerns surrounding protection, Mr Mak has said he has no plans to stop running these open clinics.

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He added: ‘I am determined to remain an active and accessible MP.

‘We can’t let a small minority of dangerous people stop a much-valued community service.’

Hayling Island councillor Clare Satchwell said public safety for all elected representatives is important.

She said: ‘Obviously we are not as high profile as an MP, but public safety is something we still need to be aware of and something which I feel quite relieved about at the council.

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Havant council has been really good and part of my training had a personal safety section,

‘So it has been something that has been taken really seriously here even before the Jo Cox murder.’

Labour MP Ms Cox died on June 16 after being shot and stabbed shortly before she was due to hold a surgery in her constituency of Birstall, West Yorkshire.