Being kind, celebrating Pride and commemorating our Armed Forces

Roger talks about the opening of our high streets and how the new teams from Essex Police have been helping with this. He also talks about the forthcoming Pride and Armed Forces Week celebrations.
Special praise this week goes to PC Lewis Aleta who rescued a teenager from drowning in Colchester.
Roger has a fortnightly briefing with Kit Malthouse MP, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service. He also receives regular updates from leaders from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

You can view the message here:

“Hello, I’m Roger Hirst, your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
I hope that you have been appreciating the first steps on the return to normal that we have been experiencing for the last week or so. Some of you would have seen friends and family you haven’t seen for a long time and that I know feels good. High streets and non-essential shops reopened as well so thank you to all the Business Improvement Districts, the councils and emergency services who helped them, especially Essex Police. The Town Centre Teams and the new Business Crime Team have been supporting the process really well so thank you to them for that. Also, I would just like to remind you all please, stick to the social distancing guidelines while you are out. High streets, shops and public transport look very different from what they were before. Be alert and be kind to key workers and those workers you come across in those retail outlets.
This week should have been Pride celebrations across the county, that is obviously very difficult as well but I know people have been trying really hard to do it virtually and it’s an opportunity for us all in the emergency services to reaffirm our commitment to promoting equality and diversity and inclusion across those services and across our communities. So, if you want to see how you can join in please check social media and see how you can do it online. Thank you.
Next week will be Armed Forces Week. We will be marking Armed Forces events, socially distanced events across the county. We should never forget the commitment and contribution our Armed Forces make to our communities to keeping us safe and now more than ever I think particularly as we go through the crisis, and of course it is worth noting and saying thank you to Dame Vera Lynn who passed away this week at the age of 103. I know we have all appreciated the contribution she’s made over the decades. She has inspired us all.
I’d also like to say a different kind of thank you. A thank you to PC Lewis Aleta who saved a teenager from drowning in Castle Park in Colchester this week. On patrol with a colleague, saw the lad had gone into the water at Middle Mill and helped them out. So, thanks Lewis! Another fine example of the calibre and bravery of our emergency services.
Thank you all as well for doing what you do to keep each other safe. Keep safe and look after each other. Thank you.”