Police chief out and about talking to North Somerset people

The new police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens has been on a whistlestop  of North Somerset talking to people about the future of policing in the district.

She was listening to what people wanted in the police and crime plan.

Ms Mountstevens who was elected in November 2012  believes that residents have a right to be safe and feel safe in their community.  

Her priorties include:

• To reduce the impact that anti-social behaviour in our communities;
• Prevent and reduce violence, particularly violence towards women and girls;
• Prevent and reduce crime in local areas, particularly burglary offences; and
• Ensure victims are at the heart of the criminal justice system.

Ms Mountstevens is to accept the government's offer of a grant in return for freezing the policing part of the council tax for 2013-14. 

Ms Mountstevens split the visit to North Somerset over several days in order to attend a partnership and community's together (PACT) meeting and to hear from the local community out of hours.

Ms Mountstevens attended a PACT meeting in Clevedon where she heard from residents on various local concerns and priorities.  

A range of issues were discussed at the meeting and priorities raised included road safety, parking, youth activities and internet crime.

The PCC spoke with residents at the shopping precinct in Nailsea for two hours and finished off her tour of North Somerset visiting the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare where she was joined by staff and the Neighbourhood Beat Team.

Ms Mountstevens said: "For the first time ever there will be a police and crime plan for each of the six policing districts of Avon and Somerset including North Somerset.

"This means each area will have its own plan with local priorities set by the public that have their say. 

"Policing and crime affects us all and only by working together can we make sure that North Somerset's plan addresses your policing and community safety needs."

While out on the road Ms Mountstevens is also asking for people to tweet their policing priorities for #ourplan

To take part in the online consultation click HERE, pick up printed surveys from local libraries or call 01275 816377.

The consultation closes on Friday, February 22.