South Yorkshire PCC’s first 100 days

There is no doubt that it has been an extremely busy and productive first 100 days in office for South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright!

Since taking office on 22nd of November 2012, Commissioner Wright has set out his police and crime budget, spent time preparing his detailed police and crime plan for the county and engaged directly with many community sectors within the four police districts in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham.

Committed to increasing Police visibility in the county, he has announced 400 extra special constables on the streets over the next two years, the deployment of more officers into community neighbourhood policing role as well extra officers being drafted in to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation.

The pace he originally set himself upon being elected to office shows no sign of slowing down, and the 500 square miles of South Yorkshire previously covered by the 17 members of the former Police Authority presents a daunting task for the Commissioner and his Deputy.

However, Commissioner Wright has publicly stated that the only way he feels he can more accurately assess the needs of the community is by engaging directly with as broad a range of residents, workers and officials as he can.

The first week following his election saw the Commissioner on patrol with police officers in Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham in order to see frontline policing first hand for himself.

He has since also met with a very broad range of partner organisations, including the Probation Trust, Crown Prosecution Service, Fire Service, local authorities, Victim Support Services, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, MP’s, councillors, LOBT groups, educationalists and businesses.

As the public told the Commissioner that keeping their streets safe is one of their priorities for policing he has established the South Yorkshire Children’s Safeguarding Forum and has met with many public sector, business and charity leaders across the county.

Commissioner Wright said:

“My first 100 days have been somewhat exciting, and my previous knowledge gained from working as a Councillor, Magistrate and with the former Police Authority certainly gave me a good grounding.

“I am determined to meet and speak with as many South Yorkshire residents as possible so I can ensure they are receiving the police service they want and need. For members of the public wishing to meet me, I hold regular fortnightly surgeries in each district – details of these, together with ways the public can get in touch with me can be found on my website at www.southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk

“The public also has a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with their local SNT at their local PACT meeting where they tell their local policing team, local authority and other partner agencies about the issues causing concern within their neighbourhoods. To get involved, I urge residents to visit http://www.southyorks.police.uk/local-police to find details of SNT meetings in their area.”

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were introduced last November to hold chief constable’s to account for the delivery of police services and to ensure the policing needs of communities are met.

The Commissioner concluded:

“I promise to be the residents’ voice in policing, and to listen to, and act upon South Yorkshire people’s concerns.”