As Police and Crime Commissioner, one of my main roles is to be the voice of the public on matters of policing and public safety. To do that, I need to engage widely and truly understand the issues that concern local people. That’s why the priorities of this plan have very much been shaped by what you have told me; in the emails, letters and conversations I have had over the last five years of office, as well as during the election campaign.
They are backed up by extensive research, with detailed responses from our public consultations analysed to provide a rigorous evidence base to draw conclusions from. This includes an extensive public survey carried out in 2020 across all parts of the county to ask you exactly what you thought the plan’s main areas of focus should be. Other research, such as Warwickshire County Council’s ‘You Say’ Survey 2020, the Crime Survey of England and Wales and feedback from victims of crime has also helped to shape my understanding of how you perceive policing and the criminal justice system.
I’ve also been careful to listen to the feedback you have given each year as part of the budget setting process, since how we finance the plan is just as important as what it delivers. I will focus resources on the areas you have highlighted, while always ensuring that the best value for money is achieved.
The work of sector advocates, such as the Victim’s Commissioner, has also been considered when formulating the final priorities, along with input from the Chief Constable and partners across Warwickshire.
So while this plan is the mechanism for creating an even safer county for us all, the main priorities contained within it are set by the things you have told me through all these information sources, aligned with the expert opinions of those involved in the frontline of community safety. They are the issues which are raised as the most important or need the greatest focus within Warwickshire and they will always remain the foundation for my activity.
I will keep the plan under regular review to ensure it is continuing to address the right issues. I will engage extensively with communities across Warwickshire and if you tell me in the future that there are new issues that need to be addressed as a priority, or if there are major developments in national policy which demand change, I will refresh the plan accordingly to reflect these.
Your top priorities for the police locally
- Respond quickly to emergency calls
- Investigate and detect serious crime
- Prevent and reduce serious crime
- Focus on crimes committed against the vulnerable
- Policing of online cybercrime
- Provide a visible police presence in my neighbourhood
Source: Warwickshire Police/OPCC Public Perceptions Survey 2020
The crimes that concern you most locally
- Having your home broken into and something stolen
- Being a victim of cyber security crime
- Having your car stolen
- Having something stolen like a purse/ wallet or bag
- Having things stolen from your car
- Being attacked by a stranger
Source: Warwickshire County Council Your Say Community Safety Survey 2020
Your priorities for grant funding
- Protection of children
- Sexual offences
- Domestic abuse
- Victim support services
- Road safety
- Mental health
Source: Warwickshire Police/OPCC Public Perceptions Survey 2020
National crime issues that concern you most
- Knife crime
- Supply of illegal drugs
- County Lines crime leading to violence
- Cyber crime
- Fraud
- Serious and organised crime
Source: Warwickshire County Council Your Say Community Safety Survey 2020
The aspects of victim care most important to you
- Bringing offenders to justice at court
- Safeguarding from harm
- Being kept informed
- Detection of the crime
- Ease of contact
- Initial action
Source: Warwickshire Police/OPCC Public Perceptions Survey 2020
Taking everything into account, do I have confidence in Warwickshire Police?
- 50% Strongly agree
- 28% Tend to agree
- 13% Neither agree nor disagree
- 8% Tend to disagree
- 1 % Strongly disagree
Source: Warwickshire Police/OPCC Public Perceptions Survey 2020