New Police and Crime Plan Launched
The policing priorities for the county are being officially launched today, Tuesday, November 22, by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst.
The plan reflects the PCC’s strong belief that “Safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build success and wellbeing for all.”
The document, which has received wide engagement, cements the PCC’s vision for the next four years and seeks to formalise where the force will focus to continue to make the county safer and protect vulnerable people from harm.
During the consultation the priorities received support from more than 80 per cent of respondents to an online survey and nearly every person endorsing the need for more local, visible and accessible policing.
Mr Hirst said: “It is really important to me that we have a set of priorities which directly reflect what the people of this county want to see from their police force.
“You will see that there is a great deal of focus on partnership working. The safety of everyone in this county is a joint responsibility and I know that successful partnerships will help us achieve the ambitions set out in the plan. We all need to work together to tackle crime and continue to build on the successes of the past few years.
“I was very clear during my election campaign that one of my key priorities would be to ensure more local, visible and accessible policing. This is important to our communities and it’s important to me.
“I will now embark, with Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, on turning the commitments into action.”
The plan also addresses the challenges facing policing over the coming years, the continuation of plans to rationalise the police estate and find accommodation which is fit for the coming years and the commitment to invest further in technology to support and enhance the delivery of effective policing.
Recruitment efforts to double the number of Special Constabulary officers also form an integral part of the launch with a stand in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Essex Special Constabulary should visit: www.essex.police.uk/join-the-police/special-constabulary/
The Police and Crime Plan is available on the PCC website at: pcc-crime-plan-2016-download
