Bill Longmore wants people to give their views on the draft Police and Crime Plan which sets out how policing priorities and criminal justice will be achieved over the next four years.
The draft plan includes the following aims:
• To ensure an efficient and effective police service.
• To reduce crime and disorder.
• To protect communities from harm.
• To provide a strong and powerful voice for people and victims of crime.
Bill said: “Producing the Police and Crime Plan is one of my key responsibilities and it’s important that, as well as reflecting the priorities on which I was elected, it takes into account the views of local people.
“The biggest challenge is the spending reductions we face. However, our plans to work with Warwickshire should help the maintenance of service standards despite these.
“From my first day in office we have been working hard to ensure that we have a detailed and meaningful plan on which to consult.
“After listening carefully to local people during my time in office and during my election campaign I will endeavour to protect police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) from redundancy and will introduce a minimum level of PCSOs. While I do expect staffing reductions over the next three to four years, the alliance will allow these reductions to be kept to a minimum.
“We aim to complete the plan by the end of February and I hope that as many people as possible will make a contribution to setting out the blueprint for ensuring that we are able to build a police service which truly reflects the needs and concerns of our local communities.”
To get involved people can write to Mr Longmore at OPCC West Mercia, PO Box 487, Shrewsbury, SY2 6WB or email opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk. There will also be a webcast on 15 January from 2pm onwards so that people can email in their comments and receive responses from Mr Longmore and Chief Constable, Mr Shaw live. People must email westmerciapcc@gmail.com during this time to take part.
The deadline for comments is Monday 28 January, although comments received after this date up until 15 February will be taken into account. Information on the draft plan and how people can get involved is available here (www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk).
The Office of the PCC will also be sending details to interested individuals and organisations right across the area.
The final plan has to be published by the end of March 2013 following consultation with the Police and Crime Panel. A police budget for the financial year beginning in April must also be put in place by then.
From now until 28 January people will also be able to have their say about the precept. People are being invited to comment on whether this should be held at this level (0 per cent increase ) or raised by up to 2 per cent that is an extra 7p on an average Band D property. People can register their views on the web site (www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk).
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