Making Essex Safer
Roger Hirst begins his new term of office as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
Roger Hirst, the newly re-elected Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has today outlined his plan for making Essex safer.
He said: “We have a three-year term to build on what we have already delivered for the people of Essex. We will continue to get crime down and make Essex safer. The first step in doing that will be to take my manifesto, which was so strongly endorsed, and use that as the basis to form our Police and Crime Plan and refresh our Fire and Rescue Plan. Those two documents are key as they set the strategy for both services and the performance measures in them are how we can hold both services to account on behalf of the people of Essex who I have been elected to represent.”
As well as setting the priorities for Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the other key responsibilities for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are to:
- Set the budgets and council tax precepts for both services
- Appoint the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer and holding them both to account for their services’ performance
- Regularly engage with the public and local communities
- Allocate grants through the Community Safety Development Fund and commissioning local services such as restorative justice and support for victims of crime
- Bring together community safety partners to reduce crime, support victims of crime and keep people across Essex safe from harm
Roger said: “As Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex I will ensure that Essex Police sees more investment in its capability to prevent crime and so get crime down, and that Essex County Fire & Rescue is supported to protect people and prevent fires, flood hazards and road traffic collisions.
We will fund an additional 300 police officers, on top of the 500 we have expanded by over the last five years.
Burglary, theft, and antisocial behaviour were coming down even before the COVID 19 pandemic struck and must be brought down further. Domestic and sexual abuse and harassment must be tackled, so that women and girls are safer and do not have to live in fear. I want to see a continued crack down on drug driven violence and gangs, so that we can protect the vulnerable people these gangs’ prey on and deal with the hardened criminals who profit from them. Cybercrime must also be reduced.
Making our roads safer is important to all our residents. We must see more patrols, and work with other agencies to educate and protect all road users.”
When taking the oath of office, Roger said:
“I, Roger Hirst of Brentwood, Essex do solemnly and sincerely promise that I will serve all the people of the boroughs of Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and Essex County Council in the office of police, fire and crime commissioner without fear or favour.
“I will act with integrity and diligence in my role and, to the best of my ability, will execute the duties of my office to ensure that the police and fire and rescue service do all they can to protect the public and keep them safe.
“I will give a voice to the public, especially victims and work with other services to ensure community safety and aid effective criminal justice.
“I will take all steps within my power to ensure transparency of my decisions, so that I may be properly held to account by the public.
“I will not seek to influence or prevent any lawful and reasonable intervention, rescue, investigation or arrest, nor encourage any action save that which is lawful and justified within the bounds of this office.”
Roger Hirst was first elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex in May 2016, before joint police and fire governance had been established. However, his core belief that safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build well-being and prosperity for all, remains central to his vision for both the services for which he is now responsible.
Mr Hirst committed in his first Police and Crime Plan to increase the local, visible and accessible nature of policing in Essex, crack down on anti-social behaviour and protect children and vulnerable people, as well as continuing to address domestic abuse, deal with gangs and serious violence, and improve road safety.
The Commissioner is a strong advocate for prevention and partnership: he has championed the role of the Special Constabulary, and has gathered the resources for an increase in the number of officers within Essex and to provide officers with the technology they need to be more efficient and visible within their communities.
In 2017 Mr Hirst became the joint lead for police funding on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners nationally and was elected to the board of the APCC in 2018.
He became the first Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in October 2017 and continues to work nationally and locally to build stronger links between emergency services and help create more secure communities.
Prior to his election as Commissioner, Mr. Hirst was Cabinet Member at Essex County Council with responsibility for Community Safety; Deputy Leader of Brentwood Borough Council; and has 33 years’ experience as a senior investment banker. He is a member of Brentwood Borough Council representing Hutton South and is an active member of his local Community Speedwatch group.