Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Sarah Taylor launches Police and Crime Plan consultation
A police commissioner is looking for residents’ views as she aims to crack down on extremism, violence against women and organised crime.
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sarah Taylor has launched her Police and Crime Plan consultation, asking Norfolk residents to tell her what matters most to them in the area.
She was elected in May as the first Labour PCC in the county, and one of her main responsibilities is to deliver a plan setting out what her priorities will be for Norfolk Constabulary from 2025 until 2029.
Since her appointment, Ms Taylor has been busy visiting local communities, businesses, health professionals, commissioned services, charities, and other partners and stakeholders, to find out what the issues are for them at a local level.
She has already chaired her first quarterly PCC Accountability Meeting (PAM), where she scrutinises the force’s Chief Constable and his senior officers, and asks questions set by the public.
“As Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, my job is to bring the voice of our communities into policing. I am responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account for operational policing and I represent victims of crime,” Ms Taylor said.
“One of the ways I can do this is by creating a Police and Crime Plan that takes account of your priorities for policing and for preventing crime. By taking part in this survey, you’ll help me write that Police and Crime Plan.
“The plan will set out the policing objectives for the county for the next four years. It will also say how I will work with other organisations like local councils, the NHS, charities and businesses, to help keep all of us here in Norfolk, safe.
“Please take the time to look at the ten proposed priorities and tell me which you think are the most important.”
Ms Taylor’s proposed policing priorities for the county are:
- Focus on prevention of crime
- Restoring trust and confidence in policing across Norfolk
- Improving road safety
- Tackling extremism and community tensions
- Making Norfolk streets safer
- Effective Criminal Justice System
- Support for victims
- Tackling violence against women and girls
- Improving responses to rural crime
- Organised crime and criminal exploitation
The Norfolk PCC’s office is unique in that it is also responsible for managing the county’s Community Safety Partnership.
This partnership aims to reduce crime and disorder by working with other organisations like Norfolk County Council and local councils, the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, the Integrated Care Board and the Probation Service.
It has been agreed to combine the collection of information required by both the PCC and the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership, so the new consultation includes questions relevant to both.
The consultation was launched yesterday, and will run until 5pm on November 2.
Ms Taylor added: “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.
“I would also like you to tell me if there is anything missing from the list of priorities that you would like to include.
“The survey is deliberately short so please make use of the comments space too to share more details or your thoughts on what should be the top priority. The new Police and Crime Plan for Norfolk will go live in April next year and I’ll keep you posted on progress.”
You can take part in the consultation by visiting the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website: https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/police-and-crime-plan-202529-consultation/
Until the new Police and Crime Plan for Norfolk is implemented in April 2025, the Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan for Norfolk 2022-2024, and associated priorities, set by former PCC Giles Orpen-Smellie will remain in place.
