Cheshire PCC reflects on successes and challenges during past year

17 Oct 2018 01:42

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, has today (Wednesday 17 October 2018) released his latest annual report which looks back on the work carried out by the commissioner and his office from April 2017 to March 2018.

The commissioner is releasing the report to the public following its endorsement by Cheshire's Police and Crime Panel, the body which has the responsibility of scrutinising his work. David made the decision to provide a draft version to the panel so members could provide feedback and suggestions.

David said: "I am delighted to unveil my annual report for 2017/18, which provides me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and highlight some of the key achievements and challenges we've faced.

"This past year has been one of change where I've been able to make significant amendments to the way Cheshire Constabulary and my team operate to ensure we are serving the public to the best of our ability in a climate where we've seeing our resources increasingly under pressure."

The report details how the commissioner is holding the chief constable to account and is managing to balance the books on police funding in Cheshire under ever increasing pressure - both in regards to reductions in funding and the increased complexity of the crimes police are tackling.

"Significant work has been done to deliver £5.4 million of savings over the last 12 months alone but as a result of the savings made totalling £60 million since 2010, our thin blue line is getting thinner.

"I have serious concerns about further savings we will be required to make by government over the next two years, and as a listening and campaigning commissioner, I will continue to press government on your behalf for fair and sustainable funding to ensure we can continue to keep Cheshire residents safe" added David.

As well as detailing financial challenges, the 24-page report also contains information on how the commissioner is delivering against the four key priorities in his Police and Crime Plan.

One of the commissioner's major achievements over the past year has been to provide a PCSO and police community base for every community in Cheshire as part of his commitments to 'provide a police service connected with its communities' and one that 'prevents crime and anti-social behaviour'.

It also details the funding the commissioner has provided to victim services to help victims of crime recover from their ordeal as part of his 'support victims and protect the vulnerable' commitment and how he's invested in new technology and supported staff development and become a Living Wage employer to provide 'a police service fit for the future'.

"I'm incredibly proud of these progress I've been able to make over the past 12 months on the priorities I set within my Police and Crime Plan, particularly in increasing the visibility of police in our communities.

"My focus for 2018/19, my third in office, will remain around creating even safer communities through a strong focus on neighbourhood policing", David concluded.

The full report is available to read on the commissioner's website https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/media/198472/annual-report-2017-18.pdf Hard copies are available on request from the commissioner's office at Stockton Heath Police Station.

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