Frankie Crew

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary marked 195 years of the Special Constabulary at an event held at the Utilita Bowl. Ken Avery, who served as a Special Constable for 50 years before retiring in 2023, was honored for his contribution and continues to support volunteers as an ambassador. Special Constables contributed more than 43,000 hours of service in the past year and handled 6,709 incidents, while the wider volunteer network includes Police Support Volunteers, Community Speedwatch participants, police cadets and members of an Independent Advisory Group.

Author Rupert Wolfe Murray promotes his new book, 12 Jobs in 12 Months, through “book busking” in several Hampshire towns, discussing alternatives to traditional recruitment and encouraging young people to seek work through practical experience and direct community engagement. He criticizes algorithm-driven hiring processes and urges job seekers to talk to local employers. The book, which tracks a year of varied hands-on jobs, is positioned as advice for those struggling to navigate modern employment systems.

A Victorian mid-terrace house on Queens Road in Basingstoke is listed for sale at £400,000, offering period features such as fireplaces along with modern amenities. The property includes three bedrooms, two reception rooms, a rear garden with covered decking, multiple storage areas, and a detached garage with remote-controlled access. Purplebricks highlights its blend of historic character and practicality, suggesting suitability for families or professionals.

A motorcyclist in his 30s sustained minor injuries after a collision with a red car that failed to stop on the A325 in Farnborough. Police responded shortly after 11am on July 1 and are seeking witnesses, dashcam footage, or other information to help identify the car and driver, urging the public to contact them with reference 44260311834.

Police in Aldershot arrested a 15-year-old boy after observing suspected drug-related activity during a patrol. Officers searched the teenager in Caesar’s Camp and found a knife, cash, cannabis and suspected Class A drug wraps. He was detained on suspicion of multiple drug offences and possession of a knife and remains in custody as investigations continue.