Devolution and tackling knife crime topics raised at Brentwood PFCC public meeting

The PFCC’s role in planned devolution for Essex and further collaboration with schools to tackle knife crime were some of the topics raised by the public at a public meeting held on Wednesday 23rd April.

The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Brentwood Council offices in Ingrave Road, Brentwood, starting at 7.30pm.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst was joined by Mark Eaglestone, ECFRS Group Commander South West, Chief Insp Terry Fisher, District Commander, Essex Police and Paul Brace, Director of Communities and Health, Brentwood Borough Council.

Attendees at the meeting heard how all crime in Brentwood has decreased by 9% in the 12 months to March 2025 with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) incidents down by 5.7% and Burglary incidents down 7.4% in the same period.

The meeting also heard how since January 2024 the ECFRS fire prevention teams have completed 309 home visits in the district, with 100 fire safety inspections completed in the same time period.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst said, “Being able to hear directly from local communities is invaluable in better understanding concerns and ensure we are working together to make Brentwood a safer place.”

The PFCC hosts a public meeting once a year in each of the 14 districts of Essex, allowing residents to raise community safety matters directly with the panel.

The next PFCC public meeting is the public meeting for Harlow district, which is taking place on Tuesday 6th May at Passmores Academy, Traceys Road, Harlow CM18 6JH at 7pm.