Fareham MP Mark Hoban will hit the beat tonight with the local police to discover exactly how tough their job is on one of their busiest shifts.

He will join the night shift at Park Gate police station to watch officers in action and seek their advice about how to reduce crime.

"I will be with them for about six or seven hours, but I shan't be arresting anybody!" he joked.

"Crime and the fear of crime are major issues for people in Fareham. I want to understand the problems from the police point of view, what it is they are doing to tackle the problems and what support they need.

"It is important for me not only to relay to the police residents' concerns about what is happening locally, but also to use my experience on the beat to let people know what the police are able to do to tackle problems in our community."

The MP has already been out with police in the area and says that their local knowledge is vital to crack crime.

"They stopped and talked to a group of young people when they felt there was a problem with antisocial behaviour, rather than take more severe action.

"A young man who they thought could be driving a stolen car was also stopped because he looked like someone who was known for that sort of thing.

"They stopped an alcoholic, who was clearly well known to them, and asked where he was going tonight, not in a hostile way but to see if there was any risk that they should be aware of."