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PCC unveils fourth Annual
Report
MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has unveiled her 4th
Annual Report after presenting it to the body which scrutinises her work.
Jane Kennedy has released her 2015/16 Annual Report following a meeting of the
Police and Crime Panel, at which she talked through the report to members, who
have now formally endorsed it.
The report details the extensive work carried out by the Commissioner over the
last financial year, between 1 April 2015, and 31 March 2016, and gives both the
Panel and the public the chance to review and appraise her progress in
delivering her Police and crime priorities.
Those priorities; preventing crime and anti social behaviour, providing a
visible and accessible Neighbourhood Policing style, tackling serious and
organised crime and supporting victims, protecting vulnerable people and
maintaining public safety; were set when the Commissioner released a refreshed
Police and Crime Plan in September 2015.
The 37 page report also details the Commissioner's work to engage with the
communities of Merseyside over the last 12 months, including her campaigns and
the work she carries out in partnership with Merseyside's community safety
organisations, and the progress of her Victim Care Merseyside service following
its official launch in June 2016.
A 1 page summary document of the report has also been produced which will be
distributed across Merseyside to publicise its release and draw attention to the
headline figures from the year.
Jane said:- "Producing an Annual Report each year gives me an important
opportunity to reflect on the challenges and achievements from the previous 12
months. It's been another busy year, full of memorable moments. Undoubtedly, the
most important of all was when the government bowed to public pressure and did a
dramatic U-turn on the disastrous budget cuts they were planning to impose on
our Police Service. This was a major relief, but despite this promise the
government are still expecting the Force to cut a further £5m per year up to
2021. There have been many successes to celebrate; Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Constabulary assessing Merseyside Police's response to serious and organised
crime as 'outstanding', the recruitment of new Police Officers for the 1st time,
in 3 years and the launch of the 'Victim Care Merseyside service.' I've also
taken inspiration from many of my day to day activities; meeting the officers,
PCSOs and staff of Merseyside Police as they go about their working lives
serving the public and protecting our communities, attending dozens of community
events and talking to people across Merseyside about the issues that matter most
to them. Our Police Service continues to change, but despite having fewer people
than ever before, Merseyside Police remains effective and efficient. Releasing
my 4th Annual Report gives me the opportunity to once again thank the entire
Force for their efforts and applaud their resilience and energy. There are
significant challenges facing them. Budget pressures will affect the way
services are resourced, structured and delivered. The types of crime and the way
in which they are committed continues to change, but I know the Police will
continue to meet these challenges head on. I was honoured to be re-elected in
May to continue in this role for a further 4 years and I promise to continue to
do everything I can to commission the best possible Police Service to all the
communities of Merseyside."
The Annual Report details the PCC's on going efforts to set a balanced budget in
the face of government cuts and how she is working with the Chief Constable to
use the available resources in the most effective and efficient way to deliver
policing on Merseyside.
It also details the time the PCC commits to meeting members of the public and
the progress of the voluntary schemes she runs including the Independent Custody
Visiting scheme (ICV) and her Youth Advisory Group.
The Commissioner has a statutory responsibility to produce an Annual Report and,
as she has done for the last 2 years, Jane took the decision to provide a draft
version to the Panel so they could provide feedback and suggestions.
The full report is available to read on the PCC's
website and feedback is welcomed. |
