The six areas Norfolk's PCC wants to prioritise
It includes increasing police visibility, better support for victims, making roads safer and tackling high hard crimes.
Giles Orpen-Smellie was elected as Norfolk’s PCC in May, and one of his primary responsibilities is to publish a Police and Crime Plan setting out what the priorities must be for Norfolk Constabulary throughout the course of his term.
During his first few weeks in the role Giles has been meeting with senior police officers and staff, partners and stakeholders to find out more about the work taking place behind the scenes to ensure Norfolk remains a safe place in which to live and work.
Giles has also been meeting with officers around Norfolk to hear about the work they are doing to support local communities, as well as hear from residents about any policing and crime concerns in their area.
Thinking about policing priorities within their local area, Giles now wants residents to say whether they agree or disagree with his six proposed priorities, which are:
- Increase police capability to deliver visible and effective policing.
- Tackle high harm crime, particularly domestic abuse, rape, serious sexual offences and drugs (dealing and trafficking).
- Disrupt serious and organised crime causing harm to communities.
- Put victims of crime first through the implementation of the new Victims’ Code.
- Make Norfolk’s roads safer for all who use them.
- Work in partnership to prevent and reduce crime
He said: “This plan will set out the policing objectives for the county for the next three years and will demonstrate how I, as your PCC, will work with other key stakeholders and partners to help keep Norfolk safe.”
“The public wants to see visible police, and they want to see them doing their job”
“The issues that get raise the most often with me are anti social behaviour and speeding motorists. They come up in almost every conversation I have.
"In terms of crime, County lines crime is a big issue, and dealing with the wider drugs piece. "
"Domestic abuse is another one, 27% of reported crime in Norfolk is related to domestic abuse....
"But by it’s very nature most of that goes on behind closed doors. So you can see on the one hand, I need to address what the public would like me to address because I am their elected representative… but at the same time I’ve got to keep pressure on the police keep doing what they’re doing about those high harm issues.”
Giles is also inviting those taking part in his four-week consultation to advise if there is anything else they feel he should include in his plan.
“This is your chance to have your say and to make your voice heard about what matters most to you.”.
“I’m keen to hear from as many people across Norfolk as possible, so please do take the opportunity to share what you believe should be the priorities for our county and for our police service.”
The consultation will run from Monday 26 July until Friday 20 August 2021.
The new Police and Crime Plan for Norfolk will be implemented in April 2022. Until this time, whilst work is ongoing, the Police and Crime Plan 2016-20, and associated priorities, set by former PCC Lorne Green will remain in place.
People can take part in the consultation by visiting the OPCCN website.