Hello

In my previous newsletter I mentioned that this week marks the start of the Home Office’s Summer Safer Streets initiative - a national campaign led by PCCs and Chief Constables. Working with partners including local authorities, businesses, transport and education, Sussex Police is looking to tackle antisocial behaviour and shop theft in our high streets, towns and villages over the summer period.

The Force will be using ‘hotspot’ foot patrols to increase officer visibility across the county which is what local residents want. Previous hotspot policing has seen a 20% reduction in antisocial behaviour across 29 areas in Sussex already.

Yesterday, I attended the Sussex Police & Crime Panel for one of their statutory quarterly meetings where local councillors scrutinise my work as your PCC.

I presented the Panel with my draft Annual Report and Financial Outturn which will be published shortly. It was helpful to hear the Panel’s feedback on the Report which I will review and consider before publication.

I also presented a paper about Sussex Police’s vetting processes and explained how my office uses inspection reports and recommendations from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to help me hold the Chief Constable to account in order to improve performance.

Lastly, I signposted Panel members and those watching the webcast to a video that I will be releasing next week which explains my new Police and Crime Plan.

You can watch the full Police and Crime Panel meeting online via their webcasting service.

Have you had your say?

You may recall I launched my annual Safer In Sussex Survey earlier this year and I would like to thank everyone who has responded thus far.

This survey will be open until the end of October and the results will feed into my conversations and decision-making during the winter when we hear from the Government how much funding they will actually make available to Sussex Police.

It is important that I understand from residents how safe they feel and what they know about local community and police initiatives, as well as crime levels in general. This feedback is invaluable and informs the challenges I put to our Chief Constable to ensure resources are directed to address the public’s priorities.

Your views as a Sussex resident have already helped to shape my latest Police & Crime Plan which was published earlier this year.

You can find the survey on my website. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and I look forward to reporting back on the results later this year.

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner