Following the England and Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on Thursday 6 May 2021 (postponed from 2020 due to Covid-19) a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey was elected for 2021-2024: Lisa Townsend.
The PCC will provide a verbal update.
Minutes:
Witnesses:
Lisa Townsend - Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
Key points raised in the discussion:
1. The newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey (PCC) congratulated and welcomed the Panel’s Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2021/22.
2. The PCC thanked the Committee Manager (SCC) for preparing the agenda and the OPCC for its support in her first few weeks.
3. The PCC noted that it was a pleasure to meet the Panel and looked forward to working with Panel members going forward particularly on the development and consultation of the new draft Police and Crime Plan; which she hoped Panel members would contribute to and share the views of their residents - the Panel would receive the draft Plan in the autumn.
4. A Panel member asked the PCC to take note of two items which were regularly raised by local residents:
· The lack of speeding enforcement by Surrey Police and support for the Community Speed Watch scheme.
· The reduction in coverage by local newspapers over the last eighteen months of crime reporting. He asked whether the PCC would consider using an OPCC staff member to publicise court convictions via social media channels.
5. Referring to crime reduction, prevention and design, a Panel member sought assurance on whether there would be full-time crime reduction and Crime Prevention Design Advisors (CPDAs).
6. A Panel member noted that he read more on Facebook about local crimes committed such as burglary than he was informed by Surrey Police and queried how the publicity of crimes could be increased to local communities.
7. Since taking office in May, a Panel member asked what the PCC had learnt about policing in Surrey.
- The PCC emphasised how hard Surrey Police worked throughout the county, noting the many dedicated unsung heroes and the police staff in the Contact Centre responding to enquiries twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
- The PCC recognised the enormous responsibility of her role in keeping Surrey safe and feeling safe by working closely with Surrey Police ensuring that it was resourced adequately and that the Chief Constable was held to account, and by working closely with the Panel.
8. The Panel member further asked the PCC what her aspirations and top priorities were for the next three years.
- The PCC noted the importance for Surrey to feel safe through tackling antisocial behaviour, speeding and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and that her top priorities would reflect those of Surrey’s residents.
9. The Panel member further asked the PCC how she would be the voice of Surrey’s residents and engage with them going forward, asking whether there would be a similar level of public engagement events as there had been previously.
- The PCC explained that she would be the voice of residents by listening to them and echoing their concerns as raised in the upcoming consultation on the draft Police and Crime Plan.
- The PCC recognised the good level of engagement undertaken by her predecessor, noting that she intended to have an even higher level of engagement. She stressed that her door was open to all and would make greater use of social media and other methods to reach those digitally excluded, and would continue to engage with various groups having already met with domestic abuse groups and the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF).
10. A Panel member raised a re-occurring issue to be considered in relation to the disconnect between Surrey Police’s county-wide priorities issued by the Chief Constable and the priorities issued and delivered by the Borough Inspectors.
11. A Panel member welcomed the PCC’s commitment to engaging with local communities, but noted concern that engagement between the PCC and local communities would undermine local accountability and asked how the PCC planned to involve local representatives including Panel members and councillors across Surrey in those discussions.
- The PCC reiterated that she intended to consult widely on the consultation on the draft Police and Crime Plan and encouraged Panel members to include the views of their local residents. She added that meetings would shortly be set up with councillors across Surrey.
RESOLVED:
That the Panel noted the verbal introduction by the PCC for 2021-24 and asked questions of the PCC for her to consider going forward.
Actions/further information to be provided:
None.