Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie urges residents to have their say on anti-social behaviour and crime

Residents are being asked to give their views on how police money should be spent to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Home Office has invited Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across the country to bid for funding to fight back against criminals, with the cash to come from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund.

Before putting Norfolk’s proposal together, Giles Orpen-Smellie – the county’s PCC – has invited residents to complete a survey about their opinions on neighbourhood crime.

People have until August 11 to complete it. Previous successful bids have resulted in an expansion of the CCTV network in Lynn.

Mr Orpen-Smellie said: “Anyone who has been a victim of a crime knows the personal cost this can have. It is the perception of crime in our communities that can make us feel threatened, too.

“While we have data from Norfolk Constabulary, previous StreetSafe data and information from local authorities about neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour, it is essential we hear from residents about the issues they are currently experiencing.

“My office is working in partnership with Norfolk Constabulary, local authorities and community groups to develop preventative measures, but we only have until the end of August to prepare and submit the bids, so I urge residents to take part in the survey so that we can capture their concerns.”

The PCC’s office has the opportunity to bid for £1.4million of the Government’s £60million fund for PCCs across England and Wales.

The survey is available online at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SSF5Norfolk/

Paper copies are available by contacting the OPCC’s office, or by phoning 01953 424455. Responses will be anonymous.