Isle of Wight East parliamentary hopeful, Conservative Joe Robertson, was joined on the campaign trail by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones.

They visited high street shops in Ryde and Sandown, to hear about shoplifting and abuse directed at retail staff.

Joe has tackling anti-social behaviour among his top five priorities and, if he is elected MP, says he will work with residents, businesses and local police to crack down on crime.

He wants to see better use of technology and proactive engagement from the police.

Isle of Wight County Press: IW East Conservative candidate, Joe Robertson, left, PCC Donna Jones, right and Cllr Karen Lucioni, in red. IW East Conservative candidate, Joe Robertson, left, PCC Donna Jones, right and Cllr Karen Lucioni, in red. (Image: Conservative Party)

“Regeneration of our towns relies on cracking down on anti-social behaviour,” Joe said.

“Unfortunately the local 'shop watch' in Sandown has wound down, but I will get it up and running again, so local businesses and the police can work better together.”

Joe is calling for monitored CCTV coverage in the Island's towns (monitoring was suspended in 2019, in a bid to save £40 million from the highways PFI budget, prompting a petition and concern from Unison; later, it was partially reinstated after an IW Council U-turn).

He also wants to modernise Ryde's CCTV, and said: "I am calling on the new Ryde Town Board to set aside some of the Government’s £20 million funding.

"If the town board uses the Government money available for CCTV infrastructure, I have secured a commitment from Donna Jones to integrate the CCTV into the police’s central command centre, with no ongoing cost residents," he said.

Who else is standing for the Isle of Wight in 2024:

  • For Isle of Wight East: Emily Brothers, Labour; David Groocock, Independent; Michael Lilley, Liberal Democrats; Vix Lowthion, Green Party; Sarah Morris, Reform UK; Joe Robertson, Conservatives. 
  • For Isle of Wight West: Cameron Palin, Green Party; Ian Pickering, Reform UK; Richard Quigley, Labour; Bob Seely, Conservative; Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat, Rachel Thacker, ADF.