WATCHDOGS have praised the work of Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner – but have urged him to engage more with police staff after a review revealed some members had no confidence in him.

A review of the work done by Conservative commissioner Michael Lane has highlighted he delivered positive change in a number of areas including domestic abuse, youth engagement, hate crime and in supporting female offenders.

But the report, published by the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel, also revealed “a lack of engagement between the police and crime commissioner and serving police officers and staff”.

It comes after a Hampshire Police Federation survey found 98 per cent of those who responded did not have confidence in the commissioner.

In its report, the police and crime panel said the lack of confidence was “in part resultant from a lack of visibility of the commissioner”.

Mr Lane, recently de-selected by the Tories, said he welcomed the “proactive scrutiny” and added engaging with stakeholders “continues to be important”.