Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary welcomes inspector Tracey Purcell as new leader to Basingstoke and Deane’s rural and priority crime team

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has welcomed a new leader for Basingstoke and Deane’s rural and priority crime team.

Tracey Purcell is the new inspector for the team and she has more than 16-years’ service in policing, working in a variety of roles in Hampshire.

She will oversee the Basingstoke priority crime team, which works predominantly to disrupt those who are at risk of harm and focuses on drug-related harm, child sexual and criminal exploitation, domestic abuse and most serious violence.

Inspector Purcell said: “I’m delighted to become the new Basingstoke rural and priority crime team inspector.

“I’ve spent a lot of my career in the north of the county. I love it here and I’m familiar with the area, the people and some of the policing challenges we face in the district.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help expand my knowledge of neighbourhood policing. I love detail and can’t wait to make a positive impact in Basingstoke and Deane.

“Our district is fascinating, we have a large town and also a huge rural community which I’m looking forward to getting to know.

“Since arriving as the new inspector, I’ve been really impressed with my colleagues in the Neighbourhood Policing Team and I know how hard they are working.

“I’m keen to nurture that, I love developing people and keeping them motivated. Basingstoke has a real community feel and I’m determined to tackle the issues which impact our communities.”

After graduating from university, Inspector Purcell began her career in 2008 when she volunteered as a special constable in Southampton, a role which she enjoyed for two years.

She then spent a further six years working in Southampton, four years in the New Forest and five years in response in the north of the county.

She worked as a custody sergeant and investigation sergeant before being promoted to the rank of inspector in November 2022, when she became the DPT (response) inspector covering Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor, Winchester and Test Valley.

Inspector Purcell said she had great connections in this area and is looking forward to building those relationships with key people across the district in her new role as rural and priority crime team inspector.