Your views wanted on draft Police and Crime Plan

Public reminded to give views on draft Police and Crime Plan

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson is reminding people to give their views on his draft Police and Crime Plan.

Members of the public can visit the Commissioner's website - www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk - to read a draft version of the plan and give their feedback until Sunday 10 March.

Mr Macpherson said: "Since publishing the draft Police and Crime Plan on Monday 18 February we have contacted a wide range of organisations to inform people that they can read the draft document and comment on it via my website.

"The consultation runs until Sunday 10 March so with less than a week to go I am encouraging people to log on to www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk to read the draft plan and give their views, as it is very important to me to gain feedback from as many people in Wiltshire and Swindon as possible."

Mr Macpherson, or representatives from his office, are also at a number of meetings this week to talk to residents about the draft plan, as follows:Chippenham Area Board on Monday 4 March at the Neeld Hall from 6.30pm - 7pm, during 30 minutes before the meeting startsSalisbury City Community Area Partnership on Wednesday 6 March from 6pm at Sarum CollegeMalmesbury Area Board on Wednesday 6 March at Crudwell Village Hall from 6.30pm - 7pm, during 30 minutes before the meeting startsWarminster Area Board on Thursday 7 March at Warminster Civic Centre from 6.30pm - 7pm, during 30 minutes before the meeting starts

The final version of the Police and Crime Plan will set the strategic direction of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon for the next four years. This includes key initiatives the Commissioner will implement during his term in office.

Mr Macpherson's draft Police and Crime Plan focuses on working with communities and partners and is divided into six main sections:Reduce crime and anti-social behaviourProtect the most vulnerable in societyPut victims and witnesses firstReduce offending and re-offendingDrive up standards of customer serviceEnsure unfailing and timely response to calls for assistance

Key initiatives within the draft plan include:Strengthening neighbourhood policing by creating Safer Neighbourhood Teams, involving not just the police but other agencies, such as local authorities, and communities themselvesGreater police officer visibility, including more foot patrols, within our communitiesLaunching a £1 million innovation fund - organisations that help reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and re-offending in Wiltshire and Swindon will be able to apply for fundsSetting up quarterly victim forums and victims panels to 'test check' servicesEnhancing the quality of service people receive when they contact Wiltshire PoliceReducing the current reoffending rate by commissioning services which support those leaving prison

There is also an underlying theme throughout the draft plan - partnership, pro-activity, prevention. This is key to Mr Macpherson in helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Wiltshire and Swindon.
As well as the draft plan itself being published on the website, members of the public can read an executive summary and download each section of the draft plan separately.
Printed copies of the draft Police and Crime Plan are available on request by contacting the Office of the PCC on 01380 734022.

All feedback will be considered before the final plan is published by the end of March.