The last couple of weeks have been busy and interesting for both my activity and news.
Activity:
1. Discussed the implications of ASB for hate crime and the issue of unconscious bias with One Community Hampshire and Dorset
2. Discussed domestic abuse and ASB with some residents in Dorchester and also rural crime with Matt from the NFU.
3. Had another visit with the Chief Constable - discussed the Summer, beaches and protests as well as the general crime patterns re-emerging after the lockdown. Each of these valuable discussions allows a further refinement to my pledges for the people of Dorset.
4. Met with Alison Hernandez - PCC for Devon and Cornwall and three other candidates from the SW - Jonathon Seed - Wiltshire / Chris Nelson - Gloucestershire / Mark Shelford - Avon and Somerset. A really good discussion on mutual issues and how we could work together if all elected to achieve better crime and ASB reduction solutions for our residents. This ability to teamwork is a key to unlocking a better future.
5. Attended a neighbourhood watch meeting in Bournemouth and discussed my survey results - gratified that the police who were also in attendance agreed that it fitted with their information.. We all just need to ensure we have improved solutions particularly around violent crime and ASB.
6. Met with Michael Tomlinson MP in Broadstone and discussed various crime issues including ASB and stalking. Very pleased to have met with Martin Stockley from the YMCA in The Junction Sports and Leisure Centre, Broadstone to discuss the importance of sport and leisure for the young.
7. Received link to the earlier SW YC meeting - this was with young people from across the South West. - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eEYldj23DgL3x68pHTexi8f-xcMkuNVJ/view
News: Safer Streets / Neighbourhood Watch / Review of PCCs
1. Safer Streets funding - Great News
“This Government was elected on the promise to crack down on crime and make our streets safer, and the £266,537 announced today for Dorset will help deliver that.
“This new money will help fund proven crime cutting measures, such as increased street lighting, CCTV and locked gates around alleyways – and I am confident that this will prevent and reduce crimes such as burglary and robbery in the areas that need it most.
“I want people everywhere to feel secure in their communities and be able to live their lives free from the threat of crime, and this extra funding for Dorset will help make that possible.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
“I will not stand by while criminals inflict fear and misery on our communities.
“That is why I set up this fund to ensure we are doing all we can to prevent people falling victim to these crimes.”
2. Neighbourhood Watch Impact Survey - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NWimpact
Neighbourhood Watch is a fantastic volunteer network that studies show can reduce crime by up to 26% - I absolutely endorse it and hope that you will all take part in their first ever survey of their impact on communities.
3. Crime Commissioners "too cosy" with police chiefs they oversee - Telegraph July 23rd
The Home Secretary has announced an official review of PCCs to raise their profile and examine the relationship with Chief Constables. I welcome this as my own analysis of police and crime plans and force performance shows significance differences between forces. From senior business roles, I have a rigorous understanding of how strategy and operational delivery need to dovetail. This means I can without any previous prejudices clearly identify how success is built and how it has been achieved elsewhere.
The fact that it is patchy and failures can be linked to individual PCC strategy means that change needs to happen. PCCs need to hold as their grail that they act for the electorate and it is on their behalf that they hold the police accountable. PCCs work for the public not the police. Accountability, scrutiny and transparency need to be improved and this is a step in the right direction.