Christmas Message from the PCC

As we head towards the festive period my spirits are lifted at the thought of all this season of goodwill has to offer. For me, it provides the opportunity to renew old friendships, exchange gifts and enjoy family gatherings; it’s also a time for reflection.

It has been an eventful year, and I have been heartened by several notable achievements. The recruitment of 200 officers under the government’s Uplift programme will set the force up well for the next few years to help keep us all safe and secure. Whilst His Majesty’ s Inspector of Constabulary’s report published in the autumn highlighted some good results, the control room performance was criticised for not responding well to calls for service. However, with over 27 extra operators and four extra police officers now in position we are already seeing a very welcome and marked improvement in call answering times.

Our work with the voluntary and charitable sectors continues to make a huge contribution to community safety and looking after victims of crime. One significant highlight is the new IDVA contract re-awarded to Leeway.

I was delighted with the response to our public meetings held towards the end of last year, our on-line session was particularly popular. At all the meetings the Chief Constable and I updated attendees on the two most significant changes to policing in the county – the new local policing model and the Right Care Right Person initiative.

The new policing model has potential to radically improve public trust and confidence and I am looking forward to seeing the results and hearing all about the many improvements the plan is scheduled to deliver.

Finally, I wish you, and all those dear to you, a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year; please keep safe, and have fun.