Reflecting on my first year as PCC
It has been a year since I was elected as your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset.
This year has been defined by setting the direction of my term through the Police and Crime Plan. It has also been about staying connected with organisations and individuals who are working tirelessly to improve safety in our communities, I have sought to ensure your voices are at the heart of decision-making.
Key milestones achieved
The Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029 built on my commitments during the election campaign with an extensive consultation process. This plan reflects your priorities and provides a clear framework for the police and partners to deliver meaningful change across Avon and Somerset.
Your priorities captured in my Police and Crime Plan are to:
- Strengthen neighbourhood policing
- Reduce violent crime
- Support victims
- Prevent crime, and
- Improve policing standards.
I am proud of the initiatives that are making a tangible difference under these priorities, for example, Project Bright Light a pioneering approach to addressing domestic abuse is to ensuring a better response to victims-survivors of domestic abuse and greater accountability for perpetrators.
A renewed victim support services contracts have been created, bringing together organisations that do incredible work to support those affected by crime and anti-social behaviour. For example, the Young Victims Service (YVS) uses play, storytelling, crafting, and conversation to create a safe space for young people impacted by crime. This approach helps them feel comfortable to work with YVS and to access the support they need to heal.
Tackling serious violence through our Violence Reduction Partnerships
Knife crime continues to be an area that I am focusing on: We all know the devastation this has brought to our communities and I’ve spoken with families who have been affected over this last year who have been directly affected. As Chair of the Avon and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), I oversee the work that has been happening to prevent serious youth violence and divert young people away from criminality.
The partnership work with local authorities and other organisation has delivered a range of impactful projects tailored to the needs of local communities and using evidence-based approaches. Over 13,800 young people have engaged with these initiatives, which include mentoring, sports programmes, school workshops, and knife crime awareness sessions. From targeted one-to-one support to pop-up advice events, these activities are about preventing harm through intervening early.
A focus on neighbourhood policing
This year, we are seeing the introduction of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will bring 70 additional officers to neighbourhood policing teams across Avon and Somerset. Supported by government funding, this initiative is part of a national drive by the Government to rebuild trust and confidence in local policing.
It is essential that this investment is translated into real and measurable benefits for our communities. This means working to strengthen the connection between residents and their local officers, tackling antisocial behaviour and shoplifting, and ensuring a visible, accessible police presence that delivers on the priorities you’ve raised with me. I will be monitoring all the activity by police and partners, and its impact, very closely and ensure we are communicating back to you what is happening to tackle these important issues.
My connection to communities across Avon and Somerset in doing this work is very important to me. To support this, I will be running a series of public forums across our area, providing an opportunity to meet directly with communities, hear your concerns, and share updates on the work being done to address these issues. Please do join these forums to have your voice heard, visit my website to find out more and sign up.
Police scrutiny
One of my key duties as your Police and Crime Commissioner, is holding Avon and Somerset Police to account. Through the monthly Governance and Scrutiny Board (GSB) and Police Question Times (PQT), and a range of other methods I ensure that public concerns are addressed transparently.
The PQTs, launched in July, are 30-minute sessions where I put your questions directly to Chief Constable Sarah Crew. These sessions are livestreamed on Facebook and LinkedIn, offering a platform for open dialogue and accountability. Recordings and further details can be found on the PQT page of my website.
I also maintain an open-door policy, and I encourage you to share your concerns and experiences directly with me. This valuable feedback has highlighted key issues throughout the year, such as antisocial behaviour, road safety, and concerns about retail crime. I regularly raise these matters at the appropriate level within the police service to ensure your concerns are heard and acted upon.
Looking ahead
While I am proud of what has been achieved this year, my focus now turns to the implementation of the Police and Crime Plan. I want people to feel and be safer in their communities, so I will be prioritising initiatives that deliver lasting change, such as strengthening neighbourhood policing further, reducing male violence against women and girls, and supporting young people to prevent serious youth violence. These efforts will be underpinned by robust evaluation to demonstrate their impact on people’s lives.
Being your PCC is about making a difference, and I will continue to dedicate myself to ensuring Avon and Somerset is a place where feel supported, protected, and heard.
I remain committed to listening, learning, and leading on your behalf. Together, we will continue to build safer, stronger communities where everyone can thrive.