Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has launched his Police and Crime Plan consultation asking people across the county to tell him what matters most to them about crime and policing.
Giles Orpen-Smellie was elected as Norfolk’s PCC in May, and one of his primary responsibilities is to publish a Police and Crime Plan setting out what the priorities must be for Norfolk Constabulary throughout the course of his term.
The PCC is legally required to produce and publish their Police and Crime Plan within their first year of office – and James is urging people to take part in his consultation to ensure their voice is heard.
The consultation will run from Monday 26 July until Friday 20 August 2021. You can take part in the consultation by visiting the OPCCN website https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/consultation
The consultation comes as new figures show that 147 police officers have been recruited in Norfolk since September 2019 bringing the total to 1,824. 9,814 police officers have been recruited nationally in total as part of the government's commitment to have an additional 20,000 officers by 2023.
During his first few weeks in the role Giles has been meeting with senior police officers and staff, MPs, and others to find out more about the work taking place to ensure Norfolk remains a safe place in which to live and work. James met the new PCC this month to raise concerns around criminal activity and the need to improve support for victims of crime, particularly for domestic abuse and sexual crimes.
Giles has also been meeting with officers around Norfolk to hear about the valuable work they are doing to support their local communities, as well as hear from residents about policing and crime concerns in their area.
“When you take part in my survey I will be able to use your responses, along with information from the Chief Constable and other partner organisations, to inform the development of my Police and Crime Plan.
This plan will set out the policing objectives for the county for the next three years and will demonstrate how I, as your PCC, will work with other key stakeholders and partners to help keep Norfolk safe.”
Thinking about policing priorities within their local area, Giles is asking people to tell him to what extent they agree or disagree with his six proposed priorities, which are:
- Increase police capability to deliver visible and effective policing
- Tackle high harm crime, particularly domestic abuse, rape, serious sexual offences and drugs (dealing and trafficking)
- Disrupt serious and organised crime causing harm to communities
- Put victims of crime first through the implementation of the new Victims’ Code*
- Make Norfolk’s roads safer for all who use them
- Work in partnership to prevent and reduce crime
Giles is also inviting those taking part in his four-week consultation to advise if there is anything else they feel he should include in his plan.
The new Police and Crime Plan for Norfolk will be implemented in April 2022. Until this time, whilst work is ongoing, the Police and Crime Plan 2016-20, and associated priorities, set by former PCC Lorne Green will remain in place.
*The Victims’ Code for England and Wales sets out victims’ rights and the minimum standard of service that organisations like the police must provide to them.
