Preventing crime at 'front & centre' of new plan, says Norfolk PCC
Norfolk's 'Police and Crime Plan' for the next four years goes before Norfolk County Council today
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner is telling us that preventing crime and helping to tackle court backlogs will be front and centre of her 'Police and Crime Plan' for the next four years.
It's being backed by a budget of ÂŁ211 million this year - which will be jointly funded by the Government and Council tax revenue - and is being scrutinised by Norfolk County Councillors today.
"To say that things are challenging is an understatement"
Sarah Taylor was elected to the role in May, last year: "People aren't wrong to be worried about there being some small tax rises to help fund this.
"It's the world that we're in and a lot of the new money from the Home Office is dependent on Police and Crime Commissioner's increasing things like Council Tax Precepts.
"The Police has had 14 years of efficiency savings and I've been saying for a long time now that there are only so many savings that can be made before people start to see the effect of that on the ground.
"To say that things are challenging is an understatement and unfortunately we are having to consider making some cuts to services. But any cuts that we do make, we want to make sure they don't have an impact on people's day to day lives.
"There will need to be more spent on prevention, there are a range of contracts in place we want to honour so that we can support victims properly, but we do want to find more ways of putting additional resources into this."
Norfolk's 'Police and Crime Plan' for 2025 to 2029:
The main details at a glance:
-From the police and crime plan consultation responses, and from speaking with residents and businesses it is clear that you want more visible policing, especially in rural areas.
-Timely criminal justice is a real challenge both locally and nationally and I intend to build a responsive approach to addressing this issue as it has a significant impact on public confidence which comes across in people’s correspondence to me.
-The overwhelming majority of people who responded to the Police and Crime Plan consultation said that they want a focus on prevention.
-People from every part of Norfolk have said that they feel that “the system” is broken that it does not always serve us well. People have asked for more support not only for them and their families to live well, but also their friends, neighbours and colleagues.
-We all want there to be less crime and, when crime does occur, more criminals being investigated and brought to justice. As has been recognised by a large number of respondents to the Police and Crime Plan consultation, Norfolk Constabulary are just one link in the chain of the criminal justice system.
-Norfolk Constabulary will respond to reports of all types of crime, and I will continue to hold the police service to account across all aspects of policing
The numbers behind all this:
Should this plan be successfully delivered then by early 2029, the PCC says we will see:
-Fewer people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.
-More safe places for children and young adults to spend their time and find support.
-Reduced levels of anti-social behaviour in both our urban and rural communities.
-A Norfolk Local Criminal Justice Board, set up to reduce risk in the criminal justice system in the county.
-Victims of crime being better cared for through the criminal justice system.
-Increased public confidence and more communities engaged with their local policing teams.
-Better access to services to help people living in rural areas cope with and recover from crime.
-More benefits for local communities being secured through the police’s supply chain, and an OPCCN which delivers more direct benefits for residents and businesses.
-People living, working or visiting all parts of Norfolk engaged in a continuous conversation with the Police and Crime Commissioner and with Norfolk Constabulary.
What's happening today?
This plan is going before the 'Norfolk Police and Crime Panel today, at County Hall from 10am. The full notes for the meeting can be found here.
The new plan will be implemented in April and run until 2029.