Sir Graham outlines plans for being ‘voice of the public’

Cambridgeshire’s first Police & Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright, has met the Chief Constable on his first day in office to discuss how he plans to ensure that the voice of the public will drive his first Police and Crime Plan.

“I am looking forward to working with the Chief Constable and I am confident that, working together we can address the concerns of the public.

“I want to send a clear message to everyone, including those who didn’t vote or who spoiled their ballot paper, that I will still be their voice. There are lots of different ways in which I can fulfil that pledge which I am now beginning to speak to others about, including the Chief Constable and other partners, to bring that to life.

“I have committed to ensuring the views of all my communities, from Peterborough in the north of the force area to South Cambridgeshire, will be heard. I will be looking at how I can  use the new posts I’ve proposed to co-ordinate engagement with the public and partners to ensure I am hearing everyone’s views on community safety – from the large urban areas to the small rural areas.”

Sir Graham launches the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner website www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk today. He discussed with the Chief Constable how he sees face to face public engagement working alongside digital communication to reach as many people as possible, in the way in which they prefer to engage.

“The website will be a crucial tool to complement the face to face activity I have already widely spoken about and I would invite people to visit the site and get in contact in the numerous ways it offers. It’s extremely interactive and I will be using it to invite comments on the many decisions that need to be taken over the coming weeks and months.”

The Chief Constable, Simon Parr, welcomed Sir Graham and spoke about the importance of the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in ensuring the voice of the public is heard.

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: “The views of the public have always been important to Cambridgeshire Constabulary. In order to keep people safe, reduce crime and detect offences we need them to be confident that when they speak with us we are listening and responding positively. Sir Graham’s role will ensure the voice of the public is even more clearly heard and acted upon in deciding what is most important in future.

“There are significant challenges ahead, not least my determination to deliver effective policing while achieving the anticipated further substantial savings to our overall budget. I am confident that we can work together to achieve the transformation of policing in Cambridgeshire in ways that continue to keep the people we serve at the heart of what we do.”

Visit the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner website at www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk or follow @PCCCambs for the latest news and information.